System and method for junket business

ABSTRACT

The junket loyalty system (JLS) and method for operation disclosed herein are adapted for effectively operating and managing a junket business.

FIELD

This description relates to system and method for junket gamingmanagement.

BACKGROUND

The junket business has been in existence in the Gaming/Casino industryfor a long time. Junket business entails providing and fulfillingcustomers' needs in various areas, such as providing travelarrangements, meal services and other accommodations, including theirgambling needs.

Casino junket operators arrange and provide customers with junket tripsto resorts. The resorts may include a casino. Casino junket operatorsmay also provide additional services. Casino junket operators and thegaming industry have worked together and have seen various levels ofsuccess in the past. Recently, more casino junket operators have startedto enter into the gaming industry. This has given customers more choicein their selection of junket operators when planning a junket trip to aresort.

Accordingly, customers have a choice to use different casino junketoperators at different times or locations. Because of the increasedcompetition, casino junket operators have used various methods toattract customers to their services. Examples of the various methodsinclude offers of higher rebates on commission and/or higher levels ofcredit facility. Attracted to the competitive offers, customers haveswitched from one casino junket operator to another at will, as there isno reason to continue to use a particular casino junket operator.Customers have had no incentive to remain loyal to a specific casinojunket operator.

This has caused difficulty to some casino junket operators—even ifrebates to the maximum of commission provided by casino operators wereoffered, casino junket operators may be forced out of the industry dueto the trimming of profit margins and the lack of returning customers.

Generally, casino junket operators organize junket trips for customersby providing non-gaming related services to bring these customers to thecasino doorsteps. The customers are then left to the casino hosts toservice these customers at the casino. Credit lines are accordeddirectly by the casino to the customers and the junket operators are notinvolved in gaming related services such as exchanging of gaming chipsand cash outs, etc. The customers deal directly with the casino in allgaming related needs and services up to the closing of gaming account.

Some casino junket operators and casinos have started working together.For example, some casino junket operators are given licenses by thecasino to act as independent agents. In some instances, governmentapproval may also be required. As independent agents, the casino junketoperator will be allowed to directly market and organize junket tripsfor customers to gamble at the casino. Further, the casino junketoperator may also be allowed to provide their services on site at thecasino. Generally, a casino will reward the casino junket operator withcommission based on the amount gambled by the customers that the casinojunket operator brings to the casino. Further, some casinos have startedallowing some casino junket operators to provide gaming related servicesto the customers. However, these gaming related services have not beenvery effective. The gaming related services are provided by some casinojunket operators in a rudimentary manner using manual methods. Forexample, there are many hindrances and problems arising in terms oftracking, evaluating, executing junket operations business activitiesand management of these activities. For example, it has been impossibleto manually provide real time tracking and analysis of game relatedactivities in a fast paced casino environment. Further, earning thetrust and loyalty from the customer has been even more difficult becausethere has been a lack of transparency and reliability.

Accordingly, there has been a long felt need for improvement in the artthat can increase loyalty of customers to a casino junket operator.

SUMMARY

The junket loyalty system (JLS) and method for operation disclosedherein are adapted for effectively operating and managing a junketbusiness.

In one embodied method for increasing the loyalty of a customer, themethod includes providing a computing device that includes a processor,a display, a computer readable medium, and a coding configured tocalculate loyalty points of the customer. The method also includesdetermining a performance value of the customer. Determining theperformance value of the customer includes calculating an amount rolledby the customer playing a game during a gaming trip, wherein the amountrolled is determined by an amount of cash chips exchanged for an amountof non-negotiable chips. The method further includes calculating theloyalty points of the customer based on the performance value of thecustomer, storing the loyalty points of the customer on the computerreadable medium, and displaying the loyalty points of the customer onthe display. Capturing of rolling information can be conducted using themanual method of recording on a paper-based card as an alternative.

The method may also include providing the customer with a portablememory storage device and calculating a customer's risk of loss in agame session with program instructions that calculate the customer'srisk of loss, wherein the computing device executes the programinstructions. The program instructions may include predetermined payoutodds associated with a game play, and a method that includes determiningcurrent odds associated with the game session based on the predeterminedpayout odds, determining a bet made by the customer in the game session,determining the performance value of the customer that is associatedwith a customer play history and calculating the customer's risk of lossfrom the predetermined payout odds, the bet and the performance value.The method may include displaying an indicator associated with thecustomer's risk of loss on the display of the computing device. Themethod may further include storing a record of the insurance on theportable memory storage device that is configured to be in communicationwith the computing device.

In another embodiment, the method includes storing a record of loyaltypoints on the portable memory storage device, wherein the loyalty pointsare incremented based on the insurance transactions. In anotherembodiment, the method includes storing a record of reward points on theportable memory storage device, wherein the reward points areincremented based on the insurance transactions. In still anotherembodiment, the coding that is configured to determine the credit linefor the customer includes instructions to calculate in real time, thecredit rating of the customer. The instructions may be configured tocalculate in real time, the credit rating of the customer. The methodmay include calculating in real time the credit rating based on ahistorical data, wherein the historical data includes a debt data andrepayment of debt data. The method may include determining the creditline for the customer, and displaying the credit line for the customeron the display.

In yet another embodiment, the portable memory storage device is an RFIDcard. In another embodiment, the game is baccarat and the game play isbaccarat game play.

In yet another embodiment, the method includes determining the resultvalue of the customer. The result value is determined by a method thatincludes calculating a settlement time of outstanding debt.

In yet another embodiment, the method includes determining the foldvalue of the customer. The fold value is determined by a method thatincludes calculating the rolling of the customer during a period of timedivided by a credit line extended by a junket operator.

In another embodiment, the method includes determining the frequencyvalue of the customer. The frequency value of the customer is determinedby a method that includes calculating an amount of web portal servicesused by the customer.

In another embodiment, a system for increasing the loyalty of a customeris disclosed herein. The system comprises one or more computing devices.Each computing device includes a processor, a computer readable medium,and a coding configured to calculate loyalty points of the customer andcalculate a risk of loss. The coding includes a predetermined payoutodds associated with a game play, and instructions that determinecurrent odds associated with a game session based on the predeterminedpayout odds, instructions that determine a bet made by the customer inthe game session, instructions that determine a performance value of thecustomer that is associated with a customer's play history, andinstructions that calculate the risk of loss from the predeterminedpayout odds, the bet, and the performance value. The computing devicealso includes a display that is adapted to display an indicatorassociated with the risk of loss and the loyalty points of the customer.The computing device is configured to transmit a record of insurance toa portable memory storage device that is configured to be incommunication with the computing device.

In another embodiment, the system includes a portable memory storagedevice that stores the loyalty points of the customer, and a record ofinsurance. The portable memory storage device may be an RFID card. Thecomputing device may include an automatic card image converter. Inanother embodiment, the computing device includes a sound input portionand a coding adapted to recognize speech. In another embodiment, thecomputing device includes a video camera.

DRAWINGS

The drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, illustrategenerally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, variousembodiments discussed in this application.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system diagram of an embodiment of junketloyalty system (JLS).

FIG. 2 is an illustration of system architecture of the JLS embodimentof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a block diagram for an embodiment of adefined organizational structure for junket many-to-many relationship(JMTM).

FIG. 3A is an illustration of a diagram for an embodiment for JMTMrelationship.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a block diagram for an embodiment of atracking, evaluating and tracing business (TRET).

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a data flow for an embodiment of junketloyalty management (JLM) subsystem for customers.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a data flow for an embodiment of junketdynamic insurance play (DIP) subsystem.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a logic diagram for the DIP subsystem ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a block diagram for an embodiment of ajunket credit management (JCM) subsystem.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a block diagram for an embodiment of ajunket and agent rewards rating (JAR) subsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventiveconcepts may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficientdetail to enable those skilled in the art to operate the JLS, and it isto be understood that the embodiments may be combined or usedseparately, or that other embodiments may be utilized and thatstructural and procedural changes may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the inventive concepts. The following detaileddescription provides examples, and the scope of the present invention isdefined by the claims to be added and their equivalents.

The term “junket,” as used in this disclosure, means an arrangement toinduce customers who are selected or approved for participation on thebasis of their ability to satisfy a financial qualification obligationthat is related to the customers' ability or willingness to come to alicensed gaming facility for the purpose of gambling. The customers mayreceive all or part of the cost of transportation, food, lodging, orentertainment directly or indirectly paid by a gaming facility licenseeor agent as consideration.

The term “junket operator,” “casino junket operator,” “junket promoter”or “casino junket promoter,” as used in this disclosure, means anindividual or entity that operates a junket business. In one embodiment,the junket operator is a licensee of a gaming facility to act as anindependent agent. In one embodiment, approval by local government maybe required before a junket operator is allowed to operate within thegaming facility. In return of being granted the license, the junketoperator may be required to comply with certain terms and conditions,e.g., achieving a minimum business volume and/or providing some form ofcollateral for establishment of credit facilities.

The term “junket representative” means any individual who is employed bya Junket Operator to organize, promote or conduct a junket on behalf ofa Junket Operator.

The term “appointed agent” or “agent,” as used in this disclosure, meansan agent of the junket operator whose primary role is to source forcustomers to gamble at a gaming facility, where an agreement existsstipulating terms and conditions of the principal-agent relationship,such as collaterals for credit extension and commission rates, etc. Anyindividual or entity can be an appointed agent. Junket operatorstypically prefer to have individuals as appointed agents.

The term “appointed collaborator” or “collaborator,” as used in thisdisclosure, means any individual or entity that works together with thejunket operator to develop and promote the business based on aprofit/loss sharing agreement.

The responsibilities and compensation for appointed collaborators aredifferent from those for appointed agents. Junket operators typicallyprefer to have individuals as appointed collaborators.

The term “junket customer” or “customer” as used in this disclosure,means an individual customer of the junket operator, who gambles atgaming facilities by either betting against the house and/or playinginsurance offered by the junket operator. The customers include: 1)direct customers, who are the direct individual customers of a junketoperator; 2) direct gaming facility customers, who are the customersreferred by gaming facility operators; 3) direct referred customers, whoare the customers referred by the junket operator's existing customers;and 4) referred customers; who are the customers referred by appointedagents or collaborators.

The term “gaming facility,” as used in this disclosure, means anestablishment, including a virtual establishment, utilized primarily forthe purposes of gaming and where gaming equipment or supplies areoperated for the purposes of accruing business revenue, e.g., a landcasino, onboard cruise ships or internet gaming establishment. It is tobe understood that any entity or individual can be a gaming facilitylicensee or license applicant. Typically, gaming facilities prefer todeal with individuals as long as it is permitted by law because it iseasier to attach accountability to individuals as well as to establishcredit lines to individuals based on their financial capacities.

The term “gaming facility operator” or “house operator,” as used in thisdisclosure, means an entity or individual who operates a gaming facilityand manages gaming activities thereof. The gaming facility operator alsomaintains surveillance log record for all material surveillanceactivities within the gaming facility and accounting records for allgaming activities that the gaming facility operates.

The term “joint venture scheme” or “JV scheme,” as used in thisdisclosure, means an association of a junket operator and at leastanother party formed under a contractual arrangement, whereby the junketoperator offers to a customer, appointed agent or collaborator to formthe joint venture to join their expertise, capital, efforts, skills andknowledge during an insurance play. As a result, the junket operatorshares profits or losses of the insurance play with at least anotherparty.

The term “cash chip” or “live chip,” as used in this disclosure, means achip that is exchangeable for cash at a gaming facility. In addition,cash value of the cash chip is the equivalent amount of the face valueof the cash chip. Anyone in possession of the cash chip can proceed tothe casino cashier to cash out the equivalent amount in exchange.

The term “non-negotiable chip” or “dead chip,” as used in thisdisclosure, means a chip that cannot be exchanged for cash but can beused for playing games at a gaming facility. In addition, the face valueof a non-negotiable chip or “dead chip” is not the equivalent amount ofcash. The casino cashier will not allow these chips to be exchanged byanyone. Only junket operators or their authorized employees are allowedto exchange these chips for cash. The commission (same percentage) willbe deducted from the face value of these chips. Depending on the agreedterms, these non-negotiable chips may have a lesser cash value, say 90%.

For example 1; If the junket operator earns 1.1% commission from thegaming facility operator and at the end of the junket trip, returns$100,000 of non negotiable chips to the casino cashier, the cash valueof $98,900 (after deducting $1,100 ($100,000×1.1%) is paid to the junketoperator. Example 2; Gaming facility cashier will pay the junketoperator a cash value of $90,000 (after deducting agreed percentage).

The term “rolling” or “turnover,” as used in this disclosure, means aprocess of exchanging cash chips for non-negotiable chips, includingcustomer rolling and junket rolling.

The junket loyalty system (JLS) and method for operation disclosedherein are adapted for effectively operating and managing a junketbusiness. The JLS includes a junket many-to-many relationship (JMTM) anda tracking, evaluating and tracing business (TRET). The JLS alsoincludes at least one of the following subsystems: 1) junket loyaltymanagement (JLM) subsystem, 2) rewards and loyalty for dynamic insuranceplay (RLDIP) subsystem, 3) junket customer relationship management(JCRM) subsystem, 4) dynamic insurance play (DIP) subsystem, 5) junketcredit management (JCM) subsystem and 6) junket and agents rewardsrating (JAR) subsystem.

It is to be understood that the JLS can be operated in connection withany casino and/or other gaming establishments and facilities. Forconvenience of description, casinos, casino establishments or othergaming establishments and facilities are referred to collectively asgaming facilities.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a method including JLS 10 for operatingand managing a junket related business. The JLS 10 shown in FIG. 1includes the following:

-   -   JMTM 12 for providing a relationship management between the        junket operator, junket representatives, customers, appointed        agents or collaborators; and    -   TRET 14 for providing a mechanism to link the transactions        performed by customers, appointed agents, collaborators and        junket representatives at various touch-points, achieved by        constantly keeping track and evaluating preferences of customers        and activities of junket representatives in real time.        The JLS 10 may also include at least one of the following        subsystems:    -   JLM subsystem 16 for providing a platform to enhance customer        loyalty. JLM subsystem 16 manages customer's expectations and        nurtures the relationship between loyalty points and rewards by        according the loyalty points with rewards and incentives to        enhance customer loyalty. It is unique for a junket operator to        provide non-monetary rewards. e.g., loyalty points, derived from        customer performance at the gaming table, gross profit margins        and frequency of usage of services.    -   RLDIP subsystem 17 for managing insurance gaming data such as        dollar bet by the customer, losing dollar bet, winning dollar        bet, cumulative amount lost by the customer minus bettor payout,        cumulative bettor payout plus bettor loss, every winning on        payout dollar and to generate junket points, which is equivalent        to loyalty points, for both the agents' and junket operator's        customers.    -   JCRM subsystem 18 for gaining insights into customer preferences        and requirements from customer data that is continuously        collected, updated, and analyzed for effective and intelligent        use and to accomplish business strategies and objectives. The        JCRM subsystem 18 can help establish and maintain customer        loyalty by providing high standard customer services through        anticipating customer needs.    -   DIP subsystem 20 for providing customers with options of        insurance based on a set of pre-determined gaming rules and        insurance odds. As a result, the customers can manage their        perceived risk of a losing or winning bet. The DIP subsystem 20        is also considered a side-bet of the particular game.    -   JCM subsystem 22 for assessing and evaluating of an individual,        e.g., a customer, an appointed agent, and/or a collaborator. The        assessment includes credit assessment for settling debt and        tracking the agreed period of time for settling the debt. The        gaming habits and payment capacity of each individual customer,        appointed agent and/or collaborator are evaluated to establish        appropriate ratings and rewards.    -   JAR subsystem 24 adapted to evaluate the data collected by the        JLS 10 to compute the monetary rewards and non-monetary        incentives. The JAR subsystem 24 is operated via a factor-based        application that is processed before and after each and every        gaming trip.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a system for JLS 10 that includes junketoperation servers 26, including database servers, a local area network(LAN) 28, a communication network 30, a main junket office system 32,on-site notebooks 34, a computing device 36, a portable memory storagedevice 38 and a gaming facility system 40.

The junket operation servers 26 are connected via the LAN 28 and to thecommunication network 30. It is to be understood that the junketoperation servers 26 may communicate with other devices of the JLS 10directly or indirectly, via any wired or wireless communication network30, e.g. the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, a telephoneline, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical communications line,commercial on-line service providers, a satellite communications link ora combination of any of the above. Each of the devices may themselvescomprise computers or other computing devices, such as those based onthe Intel® Pentium® or Centrino™ processor, that are adapted tocommunicate with the junket operation servers 26. Any number and type ofdevices may be in communication with the computer. An example of thecommunication network 30 is the Internet. While junket operation servers26 are preferably accessible via the Internet, any other suitablecommunication network such as a local area network, a wide area networkor a limited access network may be used. A main junket office system isconnected to the junket operation servers via the LAN 28, which hostsJLS 10 related applications.

The junket operation servers 26 include databases, e.g., relationaldatabases, object-based models and/or distributed databases for storingand manipulating the data types described herein. In addition, some ofthe databases may be stored locally in a device, e.g., a notebook. It isto be understood other memory structures besides databases may bereadily employed.

The on-site notebook 34 is a notebook computer. It is to be understoodthat on-site notebooks 34 may also be other devices configured tofacilitate communication between a plurality of computing devices 36 andthe junket operation servers 26 via the communication network 30. Theon-site notebook 34 may be located at a gaming facility and communicatewith the junket operations servers 26 and main junket office system viathe communication net work 30. The on-site notebooks 34 may be operatedby operation managers and are a component for operating the JLS 10 atthe gaming facility. The on-site notebooks are adapted to not onlysynchronize gaming and non-gaming data with the junket operation servers26 but also work on-site together with the main junket office system 32to run JLS applications.

The computing device 36 includes a processor, a display, a computerreadable medium, and a coding configured to allow representatives toperform in real time certain functions at gaming areas. As shown in FIG.2, a plurality of computing devices 36 communicate and synchronize withthe on-site notebooks 34. Computing devices 36 may be a personal digitalassistant (PDA). For example, the PDAs may be used at the gamingfacility and operated by junket representatives. PDAs are adapted toprocess gaming related data, e.g., rolling information. The computingdevice 36 may include an automatic card image converter. The computingdevice 36 may include a sound input portion and a coding configured torecognize speech. The computing device 36 may include a video camera. Itis to be understood that the computing devices 36 can be of any otherform which acts in accordance with their functional principle.

A processor, e.g., one or more microprocessors, one or moremicrocontrollers, one or more digital signal processors, will receiveinstructions, e.g., from a memory or like device, and execute thoseinstructions, thereby performing one or more processes defined by thoseinstructions.

Further, programs that implement JLS methods as well as other types ofdata may be stored and transmitted using a variety of media, e.g., theportable memory storage device 38, in a number of manners. In someembodiments, hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used inplace of, or in combination with, some or all of the softwareinstructions that can implement the processes of various embodiments.Thus, various combinations of hardware and software may be used insteadof software only.

Various forms of machine-readable media may be involved in carryingdata, e.g. sequences of instructions, to a processor. The term“machine-readable medium” refers to any medium that participates inproviding data, e.g., instructions, data structures, which may be readby a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may take manyforms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media,and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, opticalor magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media includedynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes themain memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire andfiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled tothe processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves,light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generatedduring radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications.Common forms of machine-readable media include, for example, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, thumb drive, hard disk, magnetic tape, any othermagnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards,paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, aPROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip as describedhereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

In one embodiment, data may be (i) delivered from RAM to a processor;(ii) carried over a wireless transmission medium; (iii) formatted and/ortransmitted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, suchas Ethernet or IEEE 802.3, SAP, ATP, Bluetooth™, and TCP/IP, TDMA, CDMA,and 3G; and/or (iv) encrypted to ensure privacy or prevent fraud in anyof a variety of ways. A machine-readable medium can store in anyappropriate format various program elements for performing the JLSmethods.

The portable memory storage device 38 is configured to be incommunication with the computing device 36. A plurality of portablememory storage devices 38 are issued by the operation managers so thateach junket representative or customer has one portable memory storagedevices 38 for recording and retaining transaction data, e.g., rolling,buy in, credit extension. The portable memory storage device 38 alsoallows encoding of a personalized identification number (PIN) forsecurity reasons. At least some of the portable memory storage devices38 are configured to be in communication with the computing device 36.Alternatively, some of the portable memory storage devices 38 areconfigured to communicate directly with the communication network 30such as the Internet. In one embodiment, the portable memory storagedevice 38 is in the form of a radio frequency identification card(RFID), which can be processed via a PDA interface for various purposes,e.g., personal ID verification, rolling, settlement, insurance, etc. Itis to be understood that the portable memory storage devices 38 can beof any other form which acts in accordance with their functionalprinciple.

In one embodiment, a RFID card for a customer includes information abouta customer's ID, the trip ID, customer's nick name, the credit lineavailable to the customer, total insurance win/lost, credit rating andloyalty points. The following rolling information is included in thecustomer's RFID card: the ID for the junket representative for thecustomer, the customer's transaction type, e.g., rolling, buy-in,withdrawal, deposit, and the customer's transacted amount.

When the customer's RFID card is used, the customer first enters his/heridentification number, acknowledges certain transactions such as creditline drawdown or cashing out, then opens his/her account for reviewingof his/her loyalty points or certain gaming data, such as rolling amounttransacted or insurance play win/lost, etc. The customer may also reviewthe approved credit limit and current credit rating.

A RFID card for a junket representative includes information about therepresentative's ID, the trip ID, the junket representative's position,and the junket representative's last action status, e.g., active,handover, settlement.

When the junket representative's card is used, the junket representativefirst enters his/her identification number, which allows the junketrepresentative to access certain information based on his level ofauthority. The junket representative's RFID card also keeps a record ofthe work hours of the junket representative. In addition, the RFID cardalso keeps a record of transactions conducted, such as rolling, cashout, credit released to customer and settlement with customer or casino,etc.

In one embodiment, the RFID card can be read by a card reader that isattached to the computing device. The card reader has a light display toconfirm that the transaction is concluded. Certain transaction recordsare processed by the computing device and these records are then writtenonto the RFID card to override the previous record.

For example, customer A has an approved credit line of $500,000.Customer A decides to conduct an initial drawdown $300,000 from theavailable credit line when opening an account. An authorized junketrepresentative performs the credit drawdown on the computing device byinputting the value of $300,000 as credit drawdown. The junketrepresentative prepares $300,000 of non-negotiable chips and hands overthese chips to customer A. Customer A verifies the value ofnon-negotiable chips received match what is displayed on the computingdevice and confirms the drawdown request and acknowledges receipt of thenon-negotiable chips by placing his/her RFID card onto the card readerthat is attached to the computing device and inputs his/her PIN into thecomputing device. The junket representative then uses his/her RFID cardto complete the drawdown. If the value of non-negotiable chips receiveddoes not match the value on record or shown on screen, Customer A willobviously not place his/her RFID card to enter his/her PIN.

When customer A loses during gambling, he/she can decide to request foradditional drawdown $150,000 from his/her available credit line balanceof $200,000, leaving $50,000 as credit line balance. The process of thisadditional drawdown on the RFID card and computing device is similar asthat described above for the initial drawdown.

A gaming facility system 40 may also be accessible via the communicationnetwork 30.

In one embodiment, a JLS 10 on which the above methods are implementedenables parties to engage in junket operation business from remoteand/or mobile locations. The JLS 10 may be implemented over acommunication network such as, the Internet, a cellular network or aprivate wireless and/or wired network. In one embodiment, the JLS 10operation makes maximum use of the Internet, such that onlycommunication between the junket operation servers and main junketoffice system is transmitted via LAN, while other information which maybe encrypted are transmitted via Internet.

Multiple users may access a single JLS. Users preferably access thesystem by way of computing devices 36, such as PDAs. It is to beunderstood that other devices, such as mobile phones, general purposecomputers, mini-computers, etc., can also be used for the communication.The computing devices 36 transmit and receive gaming and non-gaminginformation to and from the communications network 30. Informationconcerning junket operation is also transmitted between network 30 andjunket operation servers 26. The location of junket operation servers isnot critical, however, it may reside adjacent to or remote from thegaming facility. As an example, an operation manager of the junketoperator may be located on the grounds of a gaming facility and thenotebook 34 may be physically within the geographic boundaries of thegaming facility operator. As discussed, however, other possibilitiesexist for remote location of the junket operation servers 26, notebookcomputers 34 and the operation manager. In one embodiment, the notebookcomputers 34 may function as redundant servers, for example.

Preferably, software resides on both the computing devices 36 and thejunket operation servers 26. Software resident on the computing devices36 is preferably operable to present information corresponding to gamingand non-gaming related activities discussed herein, to the user, e.g.,junket representatives and customers. The computing device software isalso preferably operable to receive data from the junket operationservers 26 and data input by the user, e.g., junket representatives.Software resident on the junket operation servers 26 is preferably ableto exchange data with the computing device, access on-site notebookcomputers 34 and portable memory storage devices 38, and perform all ofthe functions described herein.

Gaming and non-gaming information transmitted across the network mayinclude any information, in any format, which is necessary or desirablein the operation of the gaming experience in which the customerparticipates. The information may be transmitted in whole, or incombination, in any format including digital or analog, text or voice,and according to any known or future transport technologies, which mayinclude, for example, wired or wireless technologies. The network maycomprise, for example, a Local Area Network (LAN), a wireless network, aPublic Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or an Internet Protocol (IP)network such as the Internet, an intranet or an extranet. Examples ofwireless technologies may include, for example, licensed orlicense-exempt technologies. Some specific technologies which may beused include, without limitation, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA),Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), General Packet RadioService (GPRS), WiFi (802.11x), WiMax (802.16x), Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), IntegratedServices Digital Network (ISDN), or cable modem technologies. It is tobe understood that other types of communication techniques are withinthe scope of the JLS 10. Further, it will be understood that additionalcomponents may be used in the communication of information between thecustomers, junket representatives and the junket operation servers 26.Such additional components may include, without limitation, lines,trunks, antennas, switches, cables, transmitters, receivers, computers,routers, servers, fiber optical transmission equipment, repeaters,amplifiers, etc.

In certain embodiments, communication of all or a portion of thecustomers' gaming and non-gaming information may take place withoutInternet. However, in at least one embodiment, the junket operationinformation is transmitted via Internet. Also, some or all of thecustomers' gaming and non-gaming information may be transmittedpartially over an Internet communications path.

It should be noted that the JLS 10 can be implemented in connection withany gaming environment or an environment for any other activity, whichmay be conducted electronically. For instance, the JLS 10 can beemployed in connection with gaming facilities in variouslocations/countries/jurisdictions, and include various types of games,e.g., slot machines, video lottery terminals, or other gambling devices.Numerous other scenarios can be envisioned in which the customer can usethe JLS 10 to participate in remote gaming, while enjoying some otherprimary activities in a location remote from the gaming facility.

The JLS 10 is a comprehensive and transparent system to manageincentives for customers to continue to use a specific junket operatorfor planning a junket. As an independent agent, the junket operator isallowed to directly market and organize junket trips for customers togamble at gaming facilities and to operate within the respective gamingfacility to serve its customers.

With reference to FIG. 2, a junket operator may perform as an authorizedlicensee of a gaming facility operator, where the junket operatorreceives commission and incentives for achieving certain level ofrolling, among other services. The gaming facility operator may providenon-negotiable chip to the junket operator, while the junket operatorprovides the gaming facility operator some form of guarantee, such as abank draft, in return. The junket operator may provide a customer arebate on the amount of rolling when the customer achieves certain levelof rolling. The rebate is taken from the commission received by thejunket operator from the gaming facility operator.

The junket operator sells non-negotiable chips to the customer withunsecured credit terms or in exchange of some form of guarantee orcollateral. When the customer bets at a gaming table, the gamingfacility, e.g., casino, keeps the non-negotiable chips when the customerloses. When the customer wins the bet, the gaming facility pays cashchips to the customer. Typically, the customer keeps the cash chips anduses up the non-negotiable chips at the gaming table. When the customerneeds more non-negotiable chips, the customer may use the services ofthe junket operator to exchange cash chips for non-negotiable chips.This is termed as “player rolling” or “player turnover.” Junket operatormay exchange cash chips for non-negotiable chips with the gamingfacility operator. This is termed as “junket rolling” or “junketturnover.” Thus, this allows for a flow of non-negotiable chips to thecustomer and a flow of cash chips to the gaming facility operator.

Alternatively, appointed agents or collaborators refer customers to thejunket operator and in return receive agent commission from the junketoperator. The appointed agents or collaborators can also request forcredit facilities from the junket operator. The appointed agents orcollaborators inform the junket operator of credit lines for eachindividual customer and the agreed upon customer commission rate. Thereferred customers are sold with non-negotiable chips by the junketoperator at the gaming facility.

When the customer decides to stop playing and settles/closes the accountwith the junket operator, the non-negotiable chips and cash chips arereturned by the customer to the junket operator and the portion of thecommission that the customer has earned is calculated. If the customerreturns more chips than he or she originally purchased from the junketoperator, he or she would be considered as having won at the gamingfacility. The junket operator rebates the customer commissionaccumulated by the customer plus the amount that the customer has won atthe gaming facility. If the customer returns fewer chips than he or sheoriginally purchased from the junket operator, he or she would beconsidered as having lost at the gaming facility. The junket operatorrebates the customer the customer commission accumulated by the customerminus the amounted that the customer has lost at the gaming facility.

The net loss—the loss minus the customer commission, by the customer atthe gaming facility is collected by the junket operator from thecustomer. The junket operator collects the amount from the customerwithin a predetermined period of time. However, in some occasions, thejunket operator has to bear the debt if the customer is unable to settleit. In one embodiment, the junket operator hires debt collectionagencies to collect debts from customers.

Alternatively, when the customer is referred by the appointed agents orcollaborators, the net loss by the customer is collected by the junketoperator from the agents or collaborators. The customer settles theoutstanding debt with the agents or collaborators. The agents orcollaborators settle their outstanding debt, if any, together with theagent commission with the junket operator.

When the junket operator settles/closes the account with the gamingfacility operator, the non-negotiable chips and cash chips are returnedto the gaming facility operator and the commission that the junketoperator earned is calculated. If the junket operator returned morechips than the total chips purchased from the gaming facility operator,the junket customers would be considered as having won at the gamingfacility overall. The gaming facility operator pays the junket operatorthe commission plus the amount that the customers have won collectively.If the junket operator returned fewer chips than the total chipspurchased from the gaming facility operator, the junket customers wouldbe considered as having lost at the gaming facility overall. The gamingfacility operator pays the junket operator the commission minus theamount that the customers have lost at the gaming facility collectively.The net loss, after crediting the junket commission earned, will becollected from the junket operator by the gaming facility operator.

The junket business provides the following services: 1) referring orbringing customers to gaming facilities, 2) providing gaming relatedservices for customers such as exchanging gaming chips from cash chipsto non-negotiable chips, 3) providing non-gaming related services, and4) offering an insurance play.

1) Referring or Bringing Customers to Gaming Facilities

Junket operators help with marketing gaming trips for gaming facilities.A junket operator is appointed by a gaming facility and is rewarded withcommission and incentives when the customers referred by the junketoperator gamble at the gaming facility.

The junket operator not only refers or brings customers to a gamingfacility but also appoints agents or collaborators to bring customers tothe gaming facility to secure a higher volume of business and to achievethe target business volume set by gaming facility operators. In return;the appointed agents or collaborators are given a share of thecommission earned by the junket operator. This share of commission forappointed agents or collaborators is based on the rolling turnover ofthe referred customers.

2) Providing Gaming Related Services

A large part of the junket business relates to the ability of the junketoperator to arrange credit facilities for customers to meet their gamingneeds. Credit facilities are normally provided based on both gaming andnon-gaming information of each customer, which is systematically trackedby the JLS 10. Direct customers, direct referred customers and directgaming facility customers are granted with credit facilities directlyfrom the junket operator, while referred customers may not necessarilybe granted with credit facilities from the junket operator.Alternatively, the junket operator may grant credit facilities toappointed agents or collaborators on the basis of some form of creditguarantee by the appointed agents or collaborators, which may includecash deposits, bank drafts, cashiers checks, personal checks ortraveler's checks, etc. The referred customers are in turn, grantedcredit facilities by the appointed agents and/or collaborators. Thejunket operator provides credit facilities directly to customers basedon structured and unambiguous qualitative information of the customerincluding profession, income level, gambling capacity, outstanding debtsand debt settlement history, etc., owed to other junket operators orgaming facilities, which is provided by the JLS 10.

The junket operator also provides required personnel, e.g., junketrepresentatives, to serve the customers at gaming facilities. There arevarious levels of service staff, ranging from junior representatives,insurance takers to controllers and operation managers.

The junket operator also helps customers with cash-out transactions byexchanging cash chips for cash.

3) Providing Non-Gaming-Related Services

The junket operator also provides non-gaming-related services bycoordinating and making bookings with various service providers, such asairline companies, hotels/resorts, restaurants, transportationcompanies, spa and theaters. The junket operator settles accounts withservice providers for products and/or serviced provided to the customersthrough the service providers. This portion of services which typicallyforms about 5-10% of the overall services provided by the junketoperator includes reservations for rooms, booking tickets for shows,reservation for restaurants and arrangement for tours.

4) Offering Insurance Plays

The junket business also offers an insurance play, which provides aside-bet to customers to enable them to manage perceivable gamblingrisks at a gaming facility. The insurance play is closely related to aparticular game, whereby the customer is able to bet on the side withthe junket operator to mitigate their potential losses. This service isnot only offered to the players/customers who are directly playing ahand at the gaming table but also to anyone else who does not bet on aparticular hand at the gaming table.

The junket operator earns two major portions of income—the commissionearned based on customers' rolling; and, the income earned by offeringinsurance play to customers.

By marketing and organizing junket trips to a gaming facility, thejunket operator is rewarded by the gaming facility operator withcommission. The commission earned by the junket operator is solelydependent on the amount gambled by the customers, i.e., rolling of thecustomers. Most of the commissions earned by the junket operator arepaid, back in the form of rebates to customers and commission toappointed agents or collaborators as inducement.

By offering an insurance play to customers, the junket operator becomesthe house or banker betting against the customers for every insuranceplay and potentially earns income in the insurance play.

Below are two examples concerning revenue sharing in junket operation.

Example 1

Casino A1 grants a license to junket operator B1, with a base commissionof 1.4% and an additional incentive commission or bonus commission of0.2% if a total rolling equals or exceeds $40 million. The junketoperator B1 secures referred customer C1 through an appointed agent orcollaborator D1. When the total monthly rolling of referred customer is$55 million, the revenue in the junket operation is shared as follows:

-   -   The junket operator B1 receives from the casino A1 a base        commission of 1.4% of the total rolling,    -   plus: an incidental expense entitlement, which is 0.2% of the        total rolling;    -   plus: an incentive commission, 0.2% of the total rolling,        received from the casino A1;    -   minus: 1.0% of the total rolling paid to the referred customer        C1;    -   minus: 0.1% of the total rolling paid to the appointed agent or        collaborators D1; then:        -   the net commission earned by the junket operator B1 is            (1.4%+0.2%−1.0%−0.1%)*$55,000,000=$275,000        -   the gross profit margin earned by the junket operator B1 is:            (1.4%−1.0%−0.1%)*$55,000,000=$165,000

The incidental expense entitlement is for covering the expenses incurredfor marketing the junket business and providing services to the referredcustomer, including, but not limited to, the expenses for air tickets,meals and other accommodation or needs.

Example 2

Casino A2 grants a license to junket operator B2, with a base commissionof 1.2% and an additional incentive commission or bonus commission of0.2% if a total rolling equals or exceeds $40 million. The junketoperator B2 is also given an incidental expense entitlement of 0.2% ofthe total rolling, which is not redeemable for cash. The junket operatorB2 secures direct customer C2 to play at the casino A2. The directcustomer C2 deposits $500,000 with the junket operator B2 to secure $1million credit facilities. The direct customer C2 has rolled $10million. Upon closing of the account with the junket operator B2, thedirect customer C2 has lost $60,000 in an insurance play and has anoutstanding debt of $800,000. In this example, the revenue is shared asfollows:

-   -   The junket operator B2 receives from the casino A2 a base        commission of 1.2% of the total rolling, including incidental        expense entitlement 0.2% of the total rolling, which is not        redeemable for cash;    -   minus: 1.0% of the total rolling rebate to the direct customer        C2;    -   minus: 0.1% of the total rolling rebate to the direct customer        C2 as early settlement commission, when the direct customer C2        settles all the outstanding debt incurred in the current trip        within a certain period of time;    -   then:        -   the gross profit margin earned by the junket operator B2 is            (1.2%−1.0%)*$10,000,000=$20,000        -   the net commission earned by the junket operator B2 is            (1.2%−1.0%−0.1%)*$10,000,000=$10,000        -   the net income of the junket operator B2 is:            $10,000+$60,000=$70,000

JMTM

With reference to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the JMTM 12 is defined asrelationship management between the junket operators 42, gaming facilityoperators 44, appointed agents or collaborators 46, customers 48,operation managers 50, junket representatives 52, main controllers 54,sub-controllers 56, insurance managers 58, insurance takers 60, gamingfacility cashiers 62, insurance controllers 66 and public relationsofficers 64. The operation managers 50, junket representatives 52, maincontrollers 54, sub-controllers 56, insurance managers 58, insurancetakers 60, insurance controllers 66, financial controller 80, assistantfinancial controller 82, accounting officer 110 and public relationsofficers 64 are junket operator employees.

The JLS 10 requires a defined organizational structure to provide atrustworthy, transparent and reliable system to carry out variousaspects of the junket business. As it involves financial transactions bycustomers 48, appointed agents or collaborators, junket operators andgaming facility operators, both confidentiality and security areimportant to the junket business to ensure all transactions carried outby duly authorized junket representatives 52 are with proper internalcontrol systems; including a check and balance structure for organizingthe junket operation business based on auditing principles ofsegregation of duties. The check and balance structure compartmentalizesfunctions and responsibilities for management accountability andmanagement of risks. It helps provide effective junket businessoperation.

In one embodiment, an authority matrix stipulating various levels ofauthority based on principles of segregation of duties andaccountability/balancing of transactions performed by junketrepresentatives 52 is included in a portable memory storage device 38for junket representatives 52. Likewise, in another embodiment, when acustomer 48 is to perform certain functions, e.g., cashing out ordrawing down a credit line, he/she is required to key in a PIN into acomputing device 36, e.g., a PDA, with a portable memory storage device38, e.g., a RFID card to acknowledge the transaction.

The JMTM 12 includes operation managers 50 to each lead a junket team.Operation managers 50 are in charge of every aspect of the junketbusiness at the gaming facility. An operation manager 50 is consideredthe head of junket team operation. Generally, the duties of theoperation manager 50 include handling on-site inquires, settlingdisputes, making adjustments in the records to correct any input errors,verifying credits of customers 48 with appointed agents or collaborators46, extending limited credits to customers 48 directly, seeking approvalfor higher credit from appointed agents or collaborators 46 or junketoperators 42, adjusting the total expenses of customers absorbed by thejunket operator 42, assigning appointments and job duties to junketrepresentatives 52 and ascertaining the profit and loss of a particularjunket trip with the gaming facility.

The operation managers 50 are also responsible to manage various levelsof junket representatives 52 assigning the roles and responsibilities 52depending on business needs of a particular trip. In addition toensuring a high level of customer service standards, ultimately,operation managers 50 assume the overall responsibility for security andintegrity matters of all other junket representatives and controllers inhis or her team.

The junket representatives 52 facilitate rolling by exchanging cashgaming chips for non-negotiable gaming chips for the customers 48. Thejunket representatives 52 would perform balancing and closing ofcustomer accounts during the trip. They are basically responsible toprovide all necessary gaming related services required by the customers48. Such gaming related services include, but are not limited to, thefollowing services:

-   -   rolling—exchange cash chips for non-negotiable chips for        customers;    -   customer cash-out—exchange cash chips for cash for customers        either from their respective floats or from the gaming facility        cashiers;    -   customer credit request—submit credit requests for customers to        a designated approving authority. In most instances, the        operations managers are the designated approving authority;    -   customer dealer/inspector change request—submit on behalf of        customers dealer/inspector change request to the gaming facility        operator;    -   other requests—submit any other request for customers to        facilitate customers at the gaming tables;

The main controllers 54 are entrusted to take charge of fundingrequirements, including initial buy-in in terms of cashing creditfacilities, cash and cashier's order. The main controllers 54 distributechips and cash to sub-controllers 56 and gaming chips, including cashchips and non-negotiable chips, to junket representatives 52. Duringsettlement, the main controllers 54 consolidate all chips to settle withcashiers 62 of the gaming facility. The main controllers 54 areresponsible to summarize results of each gaming trip to ascertain thewinning/losing position of each customer 48 for an individual trip. Themain controllers 54 are primarily responsible for obtaining sufficientfunds to meet daily operational needs of the junket business. They arerequired to supervise each and every sub-controller's float amount ofcash and/or gaming chips.

The sub-controller 56 is the person who holds both cash and gaming chipsas custodians throughout the operation except until settlement. Theduties of the sub-controllers 56 include providing fast services to thecustomers 48. For example, the sub-controllers 56 help with exchangingchips, including non-negotiable chips or cash chips, when customers 48need to exchange their chips but the junket representatives 52 do nothave the required amount or denomination. During settlement, all gamingchips held by the sub-controllers 56 are surrendered to the maincontrollers 54 and the sub-controllers 56 in turn take full control overany cash, checks and cashier's order movements. Sub-controllers 56 actas the intermediary between the customers 48 and the main controllersduring the settlement period, where they are required to safe-guard allfloats on hand and are accountable to the main controllers 54.

The insurance managers 58 are responsible for ascertaining profits andloss of insurance play for a junket trip. The insurance managers 58 areconsidered the head of insurance play operations. In an insurance play,options offered to the customers 48 are pre-determined. It is seen asthe responsibility of the insurance managers 58 to ensure that properprocesses are maintained and the options are indeed exercised by thecustomers 48. The insurance managers 58 help to ensure that theinsurance play operates properly and smoothly, including resolvingdisputes during the play. The insurance managers 58 also help operationsmanagers 50 with other junket operation when necessary.

The insurance takers 60 solicit and provide an insurance play for, andtake insurance bets from, customers 48. The insurance takers 60 provideconsistent option odds calculated by program instructions that calculatethe risk of loss for the customers 48. In addition, the insurance takers60 are responsible for their respective cash/gaming chip floats in handand would be accountable to the insurance managers 58. As the payoutodds are pre-determined, the insurance takers 60 are also responsiblefor ensuring that all options exercised by the customers 48 and theresults thereof, are completely reflected in a segmental profit and lossstatement. Collections and payments are carried out by the insurancetakers 60 according to the option odds offered and the play results.

The insurance controllers 66 check the status of the capital account andcash floats of an insurance play. In addition, the insurance controllers66 are also required to ascertain the status of a joint venture accountand to reconcile these accounts of customers 48 and insurance takers 60of the junket operation.

The financial controller 80 is the chief financial officer for thejunket operation, who works in association with the assistant financialcontroller 82 to manage the junket operation's financial aspect. Theaccounting officer 110 supports the assistant financial controller 82 bymaking collections from customers and maintenance of the junketoperations books of accounts.

The public relation officers 64 handle the non-gaming related needs ofthe customers 48. They are the ones who provide additional services toensure a high level of customer 48 satisfaction. The public relationofficers 64 act as an on-site customer service relationship manager forthe junket operator 42. They are also responsible to settle expensesarising with the respective gaming facility and thereafter collect fromcustomers such expenses incurred.

Each junket operator employee is issued with the portable memory storagedevice 38, e.g., a RFID card. Each portable memory storage device 38 istagged to the roles and authority level as in the JLS 10. For example,since a junket representative 52 is not allowed to perform the role ofan insurance taker 60, the portable memory storage device 38 issued tothe that particular junket representative 52 is encoded to only performthe related functions specific to an insurance play.

The JMTM 12 provides defined roles in a junket operation. Together withthe TRET 14, the JMTM 12 enables the fulfillment of service requests ina structured, secure and reliant control method to mitigatepossibilities of error or fraud/collusion while enhancing operationaleffectiveness.

TRET

With reference to FIG. 4, the TRET 14 provides a configuration to linkall the transactions performed by customers 48, appointed agents orcollaborators and junket representatives 52 at various touch-points.This function is achieved by constantly keeping track, updating andevaluating the activities and preferences of customers and junketrepresentatives.

As shown in FIG. 4, data profiles for customers, appointed agents andcollaborators 72 and data for transactions, including rolling andsettlements etc. 74 are gathered and stored in the junket operationservers (databases) 26. The data/information 72 and 74 are collected byJCRM in step 68 which is an interface between TRET 14 and JCRM 18. Thedata/information 72 and 74 are rated in step 70 by JAR which is aninterface between TRET 14 and JAR 24. The data/information 72 and 74 areused by JLM 78 which is an interface between TRET 14 and JLM 16.

The TRET 14 provides a fundamental business to business to customer(B2B2C) solution. It provides the mechanism for the junket operator 42to be able to keep track of 1) all the information for the membersinvolved in the junket operation, including the customers 48, appointedagents or collaborators 46, and 2) all the transactions includingrolling, settlements, etc., to evaluate business opportunities forstrategic business growth. For example, the TRET 14 may perform one ormore of the following functions:

-   -   track and trace identities of customers and appointed agent and        collaborators;    -   track gaming preferences of customers;    -   track the preferred services and level of service expectations        of customers;    -   track the gaming habits of customers;    -   evaluate the business volume related to the individual customer,        appointed agent or collaborator and/or gaming facility;    -   evaluate needs and preferences as the basis to establish loyalty        of customers, appointed agents or collaborators;    -   trace and reward customers according to the prescribed scheme,        appointed agents or collaborators for their patronage to        increase their loyalty;    -   trace and facilitate targeted marketing campaigns.

The TRET 14 provides the B2B2C solution by adopting an“across-the-line-approach,” which means that the TRET 14 methodology isapplied throughout the JLS. With the TRET 14, every transaction made bycustomers 48 can be completed via a portable memory storage device 38,e.g., a RFID card and a computing device 36, e.g., a ADA, to ensure acomprehensive secure and transparent method. As a result, a completetransaction history is available to anyone that has the authority toaccess to the information.

As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, an account is set up for eachcustomer 48, where details of each and every activity is recorded andtracked, e.g., the amount betted at a gaming facility, the amount ofcredit limit accorded, the amount of credit drawdown, the amount ofinsurance play purchased, the commission/rebate earned, smoking ornon-smoking room preference, food dietary preference and such. Theinformation is transformed into transaction data and transferred to thejunket operation servers 26 for analysis, rating and marketing purposes.As a result, the analysis and evaluation of the transaction data providethe basis for the JLM and RLDIP subsystems 16, 17 to operate.

In one example, a customer 48 logs into his or her personal account viaa web portal and makes a booking inquiry for room reservation at acasino resort for a specific date. The customer 48 indicates his or herpreferences, such as smoking room, gaming table request and gaming tablelimits preferred and credit terms request, etc. After the JLS 10provides the information in response to the inquiry, the customer 48 mayaccept the terms for the reservation. All details are logged into theJLS 10 and the requests are sent to the relevant operating units of thejunket operator 42. Upon arrival at the casino resort, the customer 48is then provided with the services as requested.

When the customer 48 checks in for his or her gaming action, a portablememory storage device 38, e.g., a RFID card is issued to the customer 48tagged with the approved available credit terms and the approvednon-negotiable chips value. After the customer 48 starts to bet at thereserved gaming table and roll his/her non-negotiable chips, the gamingfacility pays the customer 48 with cash chips for every winning hand.The customer 48 accumulates the cash chips and exchanges the cash chipsfor an equivalent amount of non-negotiable chips with the junketrepresentatives 52.

During settlement, i.e., closing of gaming account, the computing device36 is used to establish the amount due from/to the customer 48 aftertaking into consideration of the initial buy in, credit drawn, rebate ofcommission accumulated by the customer 48, amount of chips returned andnon-gaming expenses; such as hotel charges and meals incurred. Theinformation of all these activities is transferred from the computingdevice 36, e.g., a PDA, to the databases in the junket operation servers26 for rating and evaluation.

JLM Subsystem

With reference to FIG. 5, the JLM subsystem 16 is a platform to enhancecustomer loyalty. The JLM subsystem 16 manages customer expectations andnurtures the relationship between loyalty points and rewards byaccording the loyalty points with rewards and incentives to enhancecustomer loyalty. The JLM subsystem 16 is unique for junket operators 42because it provides both non-monetary rewards—e.g., loyalty points givenfor customer performance at a gaming facility, gross profit margins andfrequency of usage of services; and, non-purchase or performance basedconsideration—loyalty points given for frequency of visits to thewebsite of the junket operator. As shown in FIG. 5, loyalty points 92 isgiven based on the evaluation of the following factors: performance(rolling) 84, purchase (front money buy in) 86, results (earlysettlements of debts) 88, and frequency (e.g., consistent use ofservices or junket web portal services usage) 90. The loyalty rewards 96are calculated based on loyalty points 96 and gross profit margin 98.Usage of loyalty rewards 94 executes and updates loyalty rewards 96 foreach customer.

To accord loyalty points to customers 48, the following five factors aretaken into consideration:

-   -   the rolling of the particular customer,    -   the front money buy in amount, wherein, the front money buy in        amount is the cash or credit that customers provide to enroll in        the junket programs with the junket operator.    -   early settlement of outstanding debts,    -   frequency of using junket services, and    -   usage frequency of junket web portal services and/or visits to        the website.

The loyalty rewards of the JLS 10 are provided based on the gross profitmargin, which is approximately 30% of the total rolling for the noninsurance play portion.

The loyalty points are used as a tool to enhance customer loyalty andincrease repeat business. The loyalty points can be accumulated. Inaddition, the loyalty points are visible and transferable Also, variouslevels of point conversion ratios are available for loyalty pointsredemption. The loyalty points can be redeemed in total or in part atany point of time by customers 48. The JLM subsystem 16 calculatesrewards and the target incentives commission.

The evaluation process of the JLM will encompass the JLM subsystem 16using the “across-the-line-approach” to evaluate the data gathered fromvarious touch points using TRET 14.

The junket operator 42 pays monetary rewards in the form of JunketDollars based on a pre-determined commission rate multiplied by therolling of the particular junket trip for both the agents 46 andcustomers 48. The junket operator 42 also pays monetary rewards based onone or more tiers of net turnover to be achieved by agents 46 andcustomers 48 and this is known as Junket Bonus Dollars.

An example below explains how the Junket Dollars or Junket Bonus Dollarsare used in the operation ground and how they are represented.

Example 3

Assuming that:

Commission offered by casino to junket operator 42 1.6% Junket operator42 offered to agents 46 1.3% Junket operator 42 offered to customers(direct) 48 1.1% Tier 1 monthly target for agents 46, 50 million < 80million, 0.1% additional Tier 2 monthly target for agents 46, 80 millionand above 0.1% Tier 1 monthly target for customers (direct) 48, 0.2% 20million < 30 million, additional Tier 2 monthly target for customers(direct) 48, 30 million and 0.1% above

For clarification purposes, if the agent 46 and customer 48 achieved anaggregate turnover of more than 80 million and 30 million respectively,the bonus commission in term of percentage for agent 46 will beadditional 0.2% (0.1%+0.1%) and that is equivalent to $160,000(80,000,000*0.2%) for the Junket Bonus Dollar on top of the 1.3% andthat is equivalent to $1,040,000 (80,000,000*1.3%) for the JunketDollar, and the customer 48 receives additional 0.3% (0.2%+0.1%) on topof 1.1% (Junket Bonus Dollar equivalent to $90,000, and Junket Dollarequivalent to $330,000).

The above takes the assumption that the customer 48 transacted directlywith the junket operator 42 but not under the agent 46.

As for the Junket Points, it will be assigned to customers 48 transactedeither through agent 46 or directly with the junket operator 42.

The Junket Points costing allocation will be up to Y % of the junketoperator's gross profit and is known as Y$.

For customers 48 that transacted directly with junket operator 42, theweighting is as follows:

Credit Term Customer

(i) Junket Points-Fold Factor (Up to 60% of Y$).

A performance value known as the “fold value” is determined fromdividing the turnover by the credit arrangement per trip i.e., dividingthe customer's rolling against the approved credit amount of thecustomer. Fold value provides a meaningful reading that allows thejunket operator to assess the risk and returns. For example, ifcustomers A and B had a credit facility arrangement with the junketoperator of $300,000 each, and the monthly turnover generated bycustomer A and customer B were $5 million and $10 million respectively,these will give the fold value of 16.66 for customer A and 33.33 forcustomer B. Of the two fold values, customer B is preferred because ofthe higher business volume customer B generates for the junket operatorgiven the same credit risk, which is $300,000 in this case.

By using the fold value and referring to Table A (fold factors), apredetermined set of fold factors can be obtained. The approved creditused in the description of the term “fold factor,” as used in thisdisclosure, means full credit amount approved for utilization. TheJunket operator will consider as a risk factor regardless whethercustomer 48 utilizes fully the approved amount. For example, if theapproved amount is $500 k but only $300 k has been utilized during thetrip, $500 k will be used to ascertain the fold factor.

(ii) Junket Points-Payment Factor (Up to 30% of Y$).

Payment made by customer 48 before the due date will benefit more underthis scheme. The predetermined payment can be found in Table B (aspayment factor).

(iii) Junket Points-Frequent User Factor (Up to 10% of Y$).

The factor can be easily derived by dividing the number of booking madethrough the Internet portal by the total number of trips made.

TABLE A (fold factors): Fold value 1 > 2 2 > 3 3 > 4 4 > 5 5 > 6 6 > 77 > 8 8 > 9 9 > 10 10> Fold factor 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.91.0

TABLE B (payment factors): Day(s) before due D D-1 D-2 D-3 D-4 D-5 D-6D-7 D-8 D-9 D-10 Payment factors 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.91.0 Note: D represents the due date. Interpretation of D-1: one daybefore due date.

Cash Term Customer

(i) Junket Points-Cash Factor (Up to 90% of Y$)

Cash factors are predetermined set of value set against the cash buy inamount, as illustrated in Table C.

(ii) Junket Points-Frequent Services User Factor (Up to 10% of Y$)

For the frequent user factors, pleases refer to the above explanation.

TABLE C (cash factors): Buy in-$ (thousands) 10 > 20 20 > 30 30 > 4040 > 50 50 > 60 60 > 70 70 > 80 80 > 90 90 > 100 100> Cash factors 0.10.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0

For customers 48 that transact under agent 46, the weight allocation maybe as follows:

(i) Junket Points-Turnover or Rolling Factors (Up to 90% of Y$)

As the financing is done by agent 46, customer 48 payment, cash buy inand the fold factors are discarded in the rewarding of Junket points.High rollers should be rewarded with Junket Points to retain his or herloyalty towards the junket operator 42. Pleases refer to table D for theturnover and rolling factors.

(ii) Junket Points-Frequent Services User Factor (Up to 10% of Y$)

See Same Explanation Above

TABLE D (Turnover or rolling factors) Turnover (one hundred thousands)1 > 2 2 > 3 3 > 4 4 > 5 5 > 6 6 > 7 7 > 8 8 > 9 9 > 10 10 Turnoverfactors 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0

Based on all the assumptions in the examples, a scenario is created fora better understanding how each of these factors can play a part ingenerating the Junket Points.

Four customers 48 namely “A”, “B”, “C” and “D” went on their firstcasino junket trip for that month. Both customers 48 “A” and “B” playedon cash term and “A” transacted directly with the junket operator 42,whereas “B” transacted under agent 46 Z. Customers “C” and “D” played oncredit terms, and “C” transacted directly with junket operator 42,whereas “D” transacted under agent 46 Z.

Assuming that the junket operator 42 allocates 20% percent of the grossprofit (GP) to the Junket Points, Table E summarizes the rewards andloyalty accordingly:

TABLE E F-M N-T F-U J$ Jb$ GP Y$ Jpts A 100k 500k Y 5,500 0 2,500 500500 B (agent Z) 100k 600k N 7,800 1,200 600 120 108 C  5m  35m N 385,000105,000 70,000 14,000 5,880 D (agent Z) 10,000,000 85,000,000 Y1,105,000 170,000 85,000 17,000 17,000 Note: F-M = front money, N-T =net turnover for that trip, F-U = frequent user, Y = booking throughinternet portal, N = manual booking, which is non internet portalbooking. J$ = Junket Dollar, Jb$ = Junket Bonus Dollar, GP = GrossProfit, Y$ = Y % of GP, and JPts = Junket Points.

Assume all customers are without outstanding (win). In this example,nobody lost at the end of the gaming trip therefore, no outstandingdebt.

For Jb$, GP, Y$ and Jpts, they will be computed on every month end.

The Table E figures are generated on trip basis for illustrationpurposes.

As illustrated in Table E, customer 48 “A” is a direct customer of thejunket operator 42 and transacted a buy in of cash $100,000. At the endof the trip, the turnover of “A” was $500,000. “A” booked the junkettrip through Internet portal. The Junket Dollar that “A” received was$5,500 {turnover×commission (1.1%)}. There is no Junket bonus dollar for“A” however, if the aggregated turnover reaches or exceeds the monthlyturnover target, a Jb$ can be awarded as it can be accumulated tillmonth end. Junket operator's 42 gross profit derivate from “A” was$2,500 (1.6%−1.1%=0.5%, then 0.5%×500,000). The Y$ 500 (2,500*0.2) iscalculated by 20% of the gross profit. The Junket Points of 500 pointsare awarded. As illustrated in Table C, the cash factor is 1.0 (90% ofY$), and the frequent user is also 1.0 (10% of Y$), therefore, “A” isentitled for 100% of the Y$ which in the case is 500 points.

Customer 48 “B” is a customer of agent 46 Z and transacted a buy in ofcash $100,000. At the end of the trip, the turnover of “B” was $600,000.“B” manually booked the junket trip. The Junket Dollar for “B” wastransferred to the account of agent 46 Z therefore “B” will claim fromagent 46 Z when the junket operator settles with agent 46 Z. The JunketDollar paid to agent 46 Z is based on the transaction of “B” which was$7,800 (turnover×commission−1.3%). Junket Bonus Dollar for agent Z was$1,200 {600,000×(0.1+0.1)%}—the aggregated turnover of “B” and “D” areabove the monthly turnover target of 80 million. Junket operator's 42gross profit derived from agent 46 Z was $600 (1.6%−1.5%=0.1%, then0.1%×600,000). The Y$ 120 (600×0.2) is 20% of the gross profit. TheJunket Points awarded to customer “B” was 108 points. As illustrated inTable C, the cash factor is 1.0 (90% of Y$), and the frequent userfactor is zero, therefore, the entitlement for “B” for Junket Points was108 points {1.0×(90% of 120)}.

Customer 48 “C” is a direct customer of junket operator 42 and was givenan advance credit facility of $5 million dollars. At the end of thetrip, the turnover of “C” was $35 million. “C” manually booked thejunket trip. The Junket Dollar that “C” had received was $385,000(turnover×commission−1.1%). Junket Bonus Dollar for “C” was $105,000 {35m×(0.1+0.2)%} since the monthly turnover target was achieved. Junketoperator's 42 gross profit derived from “C” was $70,000(1.6%−1.1%−0.2%−0.1%=0.2%, then 0.2%×35 million). The Y$ 14,000(70,000*0.2) is 20% of the gross profit. The Junket Points of 5,880points are awarded by: the fold value=7×(35 million/5 million), and byreferring to Table A, the fold factor is 0.7. Therefore, 60% of Y$(weight)×0.7 fold factor (0.6×14,000×0.7) is 5,880 points, and thefrequent user is zero.

Customer 48 “D” is a customer of agent 42 Z and was given an advancecredit facility of $10 million. At the end of the trip, the turnover of“D” was $85 million. “D” booked the junket trip through Internet portal.The Junket Dollar for “D” was transferred to the account of agent 46 Ztherefore “D” claims from agent Z when the junket operator 48 settleswith agent 46 Z. The Junket Dollar paid to agent 46 Z based on thetransaction of “D” was $1,105,000 (turnover 85 million×commission−1.3%).Junket Bonus Dollar for agent 46 Z was $170,000 {85 m×(0.1+0.1)%}−theaggregated turnover was above the monthly turnover target of 80 million.Junket operator's 42 gross profit derived from agent 46 Z was $85,000(1.6%−1.5%=0.1%, then 0.1%×85 million). The Y$ 17,000 (85,000×0.2) is20% of the gross profit. The Junket Points awarded to customer “D” was17,000 points. As illustrated in Table D, the turnover of rolling factoris 1.0 (90% of Y$), and the frequent user factor is 1.0 (10% of Y$),therefore, “D” is entitled for 100% of the Y$ which in the case is17,000 points.

The above examples and scenarios explain how factors such as thepayment, cash, fold, frequency, and turnover factors, can influence theway which loyalty points or Junket Points are awarded to customers 48.The tables are tabulated not only for the purpose of illustration butalso to explain the logic of how these factors are used in generatingJunket Points. Junket Points might not be restrictive to customers 48(both direct and indirect) only, but also can be applied to the agents46. Software programming logic can be implemented to replace the simpletables so that a wide range of options are available. One or acombination of any of the factors can be used to generate Junket Pointsfor direct or indirect customers 48 and even agents 46.

JCRM Subsystem

The JCRM subsystem 18 is adapted to gain insights into customer datathat are continuously collected, updated and analyzed for effective andintelligent use and to accomplish business strategies and objectives.The JCRM subsystem 18 helps maintain customers 48 by providing highstandard customer services by anticipating and satisfying customerrequirements. The JCRM subsystem 18 gathers data from one or more of thefollowing touch points:

-   -   junket operator's 42 web portal (for reservation inquiries,        account inquiries, etc.)    -   junket representatives 52/controllers/operation managers 50    -   appointed agents or collaborators 46    -   customer contact center/customer service center    -   gaming facilities 44    -   partner program center, which is a partner programs operated by        3^(rd) parties for loyalty points exchange/redemption, e.g.,        redemption of junket loyalty points for air-tickets or show        tickets or limousine transfers, etc., where an agreed loyalty        points to dollar value translation rate is pre-established.    -   other 3rd party touch point centers        In addition, the JCRM subsystem 18 includes a web portal to        serve its multi-tier multi-type of customers 48.

The relevant information used in JCRM 18 includes the following:

-   -   customer profile (such as full name, contact/email address, age,        profession, passport details, etc.)    -   family profile (such as family members, age, school, spouse        profession, etc.)    -   traveling habits and preferences (such as mode of        transportation, meals, hotels, frequency of visits, etc.)    -   leisure activities (such as hobbies, sports, etc.)    -   gaming preferences (such as game type, minimum/maximum bet,        preferred gaming facility 44, etc.)    -   financial profile and historical transactions (such as average        insurance play bets, credit facilities/terms, win/loss results,        repayment history, historical rolling amount, etc.)

DIP Subsystem

With reference to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the JLS may include a DIPsubsystem. The DIP subsystem 20 is adapted to provide customers 48 withoptions of an insurance play based on a set of predetermined gamingrules and insurance odds. As a result, the customers 48 can manage theirperceived risk of a losing or winning bet. The DIP subsystem 20 alsoprovides customers 48 with reward points to enhance customer loyalty.The DIP subsystem 20 may be considered to be a side-bet of theparticular game session. In addition, the insurance play may alsoinclude a joint venture arrangement for profit-sharing between thejunket operator 42 and the appointed agent or collaborators 46, orbetween the junket operator 42 and customers 48. With junket loyaltysystem 10, customers 48 may be more willing to participate in insuranceplay transactions.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, cards are exposed (table, hand & shoe No.) instep 100, which generates payout odd rates 102. DIP results &settlements 108 is determined by the payout odd rates 102, playerindividual bet amount 104, and game results 106. DIP results &settlements 108 are further used to evaluate customer loyalty in theRLDIP subsystem 17.

In one embodiment, the DIP subsystem includes a junket operation server26, a computing device 36 including a process and a machine-readablemedium storing a program that, when executed, can cause a processor toperform at least some of the described process and a portable memorystorage device 38. Accordingly, a junket operator 42 provides aninsurance play or side betting via the DIP subsystem to its customers 48by offering an option for betting on one or more aspects of a player'sor of another customer's play in a game. The insurance play helpsenhance the turnover and hence the revenue of the junket business andgives customers 48 some control over a game play so that the customer 48may mitigate the risk of losing a bet with insurance play.

In one embodiment, a bet may be directly related to whether one or morespecific game incidents occur, for example, player wins. In analternative embodiment, a bet may be related to an aggregate of events,for example, whether the total money won by customers 48 at a casino isgreater today than it was yesterday.

If the game is a card game, a customer 48 may bet on any or all of thefollowing: a) what the next card revealed will be; or b) what theoutcome of the hand will be, e.g., house wins, house busts, player wins,player busts, tie, player A will have a better hand than player B,customer 48 will have a better hand than player A and so on. The handscan be of the same player over time or of a set of players, e.g., bet onthe aggregate of all current blackjack players against the house todetermine if more players win than lose.

Further, there can be several such bets throughout the course of a hand.For example, there can be an initial bet before the customer 48 knowshis or her cards, and another bet when the customer 48 knows his or hercards but all the dealer cards have not been revealed. If the game is aslot machine, the customer 48 can bet that a particular pattern ofsymbols will show after a pull of the slot machine. If the game isroulette, the customer 48 can bet that the outcome is a particularnumber or will strike a grouping of numbers.

In some embodiments, a bet may be based on the opposite outcome in agame incident from that outcome of the game incident on which the betwas placed. For example, a customer 48 may bet that a particular gameincident will occur, but receives a payout if the game incident does notoccur.

The insurance play may be provided via any wired or wireless JLS.

In one embodiment, the DIP subsystem 20 may include a computer processorthat is capable of offering insurance play or side-bet for any cardgames, such as baccarat, blackjack, pontoon, casino war, etc., bycalculating the probability of wining or losing a particular game handthat is based on the hand that had already been exposed. The programminglogic will include rules for that particular card game, such asCaribbean stud poker, baccarat, blackjack, pontoon, casino war, threecard poker, Spanish 21, etc., where insurance play or side-bets areoffered.

The computer programming will be designed for a universal card gameprocessor in calculating the customer's risk of win or loss of aparticular game session with a computing device 36, e.g., a PDA, whichexecutes the program instruction. The program instruction will includethe instruction to calculate the pre-determined payout odds, the bet andthe performance value associated with the game session.

The computer program may further include instructions to keep track ofcards drawn from the shoe and is exposed to deduce the balance of cardsremaining unexposed in the shoe to calculate the probability of the nextcard drawn based on the balance of cards remaining in the shoe tocalculate the pre-determined payout odds, the bet and the performancevalue associated with the game session.

Depending on the rules of the card game, e.g., baccarat, either thehouse card or the player's card are exposed first, insurance play can beoffered to the player(s) who bets on that particular card game hand orto anyone else not betting on the particular card game hand. Theplayer(s) that bets on the particular card game hand and anyone else notbetting on the particular card game hand are collectively referred to as“customers” as long as they bet on at least an insurance play. The valueof the cards is inputted into a computing device 36, e.g., a ADA, todisplay the payout odds. The odds is offered and accepted or rejected.When the odds is accepted, the insurance play will compute the win/lossof Insurance when the next card(s) is/are exposed. By definition,players' cards refer to the cards that are drawn out from the shoe andgiven to the player depending on whether the player has bet on thePlayer Box or Banker Box.

In an alternative embodiment, insurance plays are offered in black jackcard games. The rules for black jack require that the player's cards areto be exposed first before the house cards. The value of the players'cards exposed is “read” by a computing device 36 and the payout odds aredisplayed. Insurance play is then offered to “customers”. Insurance playmay also be offered to “customers” when the house cards are exposed.

It is to be understood that insurance plays are also offered for othercard games such as mini baccarat, midi baccarat, big baccarat, Caribbeanstud poker, black jack, Spanish 21, casino war, three card poker,pontoon, etc., where the card values are inputted by using variousmethods, such as a card reader that reads the playing card drawn fromthe shoe, voice recognition, visual recognition or manual input into acomputing device 36, e.g., a PDA, etc.

Likewise, a computing device 36, e.g., a PDA, a portable storage memorydevice 38, such as a RFID card, and a coding in the program instructioncan be used to determine the credit line of the customer 48.

DIP can be offered to anyone regardless if a wager is made on theparticular card game by any customer 48.

Anyone can play DIP at the casino or play DIP online for liveinteractive gaming environment via the internet.

As part of the JLS 10, the DIP subsystem 20 is operated by the junketoperator 42 in association with various games. As shown in FIG. 6, inone embodiment, the insurance play is associated with baccarat games andis called baccarat insurance play (BIP). The BIP is an option that isprovided by the junket operator 42 to the customers 48 to mitigate aperceived risk of a losing bet or diluting a winning bet at the baccaratgaming table.

The BIP evolves around a scheme of arrangements depending on the cardsdrawn/exposed at the gaming table. There are also possible riskmanagement options for the customers 48 depending on the cards that arealmost exposed by them. These cards drawn and exposed/almost exposedwill generate certain pre-determined odds and risk mitigation optionscan be offered to the customers 48 for betting.

Alternatively, various joint venture arrangements between the junketoperator 42 and the appointed agents or collaborators 46 or even thecustomers 48/bettors themselves are used for the DIP subsystem 20. Thecollaborator hopes to improve the return while maintaining the samelevel of risk (credit facilities). As for the customer 48, he hopes tohedge the position between gaming facility against BIP win or loss. Inthis way, the junket operator 42 and the appointed agents orcollaborators 46 can share profits and risks in the BIP operation. Thejoint ventures can be pre-established prior to the game or prior to thegaming trip and the duration of the joint ventures can be the same asthe duration of the gaming trip. Typically, a maximum amount is set upfor limiting the joint venture operation. The joint venture arrangementsare usually unknown to the customers 48 and dictate the finalprofit/loss of all the odds options betted by the customers 48 after thecustomers 48 decides to stop gaming.

The BIP is either offered verbally and subsequently inputted into thecomputing device 36 such as a PDA or inputted directly into thecomputing device 36, e.g., a PDA, to generate the pre-determined payoutodds. The computing device 36 may include a sound input portion and acoding configured to recognize speech to interact with the verbal speechof the user. The computing device 36 may display an indicator associatedwith the customer's risk of loss on the display of the computing device36. Advantageously, many of the calculations, e.g., risk of loss andpayout odds, are done in real time. Accordingly, the computing device 36may have a memory that stores predetermined payout odds associated witha game play, and instructions having a method that includes determiningcurrent odds associated with the game session based on the predeterminedpayout odds, determining a bet made by the customer 48 in the gamesession, determining a performance value of the customer 48 that isassociated with a customer 48 play history, and calculating thecustomer's risk of loss from the predetermined payout odds, the bet, andthe performance value. Thus current odds can be calculated and managedat pre-determined payout odds depending on the cards exposed/almostexposed in real time during game play.

The BIP may be offered in two ways, e.g., in a baccarat game. A fastpaced BIP is defined as when there are two or more customers 48 bettingon the BIP on the same hand of the game with the same payout oddsoffered. A slow paced BIP is defined as a customer 48 betting on the BIPwith an Insurance taker 60 attending to that customer 48.

The computing device 36, e.g., a PDA, including specific softwareapplications are used in both fast paced BIP and slow paced BIP.

In the fast paced BIP, BIP bets are initially accepted verbally by aninsurance taker 60 and then inputted into the computing device 36, andthe results of the IMP bets are recorded on the portable memory storagedevice 38, distributing the wining/losing amount to each customer 48 whoparticipates in the BIP play.

As shown in FIG. 7, in one embodiment, the insurance play starts in thestart step 112. In step 114, odds rate and bet amount are keyed in,which then are verified by taker in step 116. Then in steps 118 and 120,the game result and table, hand and shoe No. are captured respectively.After each individual bet amount is captured in step 122, based onwhether the customer has a portable memory storage devices 38 or not instep 124, the customer portable memory storage devices 38 is verified instep 126 or play is treated as a guess in step 128. After all of thecustomers have been processed, a summary is generated in step 132 andthe insurance play ends in step 134. In an example, three customers X, Yand Z plays in the BIP play and have placed $200, $500 and $600 betsrespectively with the payout odds of 1:4. Before the results of thebaccarat game is out, the insurance taker 60 will input $1,300 as totalBIP bets taken. When the result of the baccarat game is determined, theBIP bet results are displayed on the display of the computing device 36,e.g., a PDA, accordingly. The customers 48 won at the baccarat game andthus the BIP bets placed by the customers are lost. The insurance takerwill then distribute the BIP bets to the individual customer's portablememory storage device 38 as bets lost.

In another embodiment, three customers 48 A, B and C placed theirbetting individually at the baccarat game. All the three customers 48decided to bet on the Banker Box. The customer 48 that has placed thehighest bet (let's assume it is customer A) will have the privilege tosqueeze the cards. The gaming facility dealer passes the banker cards tocustomer A, where A squeezed the cards which have the total sum of 8points. While the player's box cards are still unexposed, the insurancetaker 60 offers BIP options with an odd of 1 pay 7. Customer C declinesand customers A and B accept the offer by insuring $2,000 and $1,000respectively. At this stage, the insurance taker 60 with the computingdevice 36, e.g., a PDA, keys in:

(a) odds of 1 pay 7;

(b) the aggregated sum of insurance bet $3,000($2,000+$1,000);

(c) acknowledgement from the insurance taker 60 by tapping the portablememory storage device 38, e.g., an RFID card on the card reader of thecomputing device 36, e.g., a PDA.

All these are carried out before the gaming facility dealer exposes thePlayer Box cards. Then, customer A will ask the gaming facility dealerto expose both the Player Box cards. There may be three possible resultsafter the Player Box cards are exposed by the gaming facility dealer:

Sum Digit for Player Box is 9 Points—Banker Loses

The insurance taker selects the LOSS button on the computing device 36and the aggregated amount needed to credit into customers A and B isshown on the screen as $21,000 ($3000×7). Of the aggregated amount of$21,000, $14,000 ($2,000×7) is credited into customer A's portablememory storage device 38 by tapping it on the computing device 36, e.g.,a PDA, with the acknowledgement from insurance taker 60 by tapping hisRFID tag on the same computing device 36. The next $7,000 ($1,000×7) iscredited to customers B's portable memory storage devices 38 in the sameprocedure as just mentioned to complete the distribution to end the BIPgame for this particular instance.

8 Points—Tie Bet, as a Result, Both the Banker and Player have a Draw

The insurance taker 60 selects the TIE button on the computing device 36and this insurance taking is recorded as tie with acknowledgement bytapping customers A and B and the insurance taker 60's portable memorystorage devices 38 on the computing device 36, e.g., a PDA, to end theBIP game for this particular instant.

Sum Digit for Player Box is 0 to 7—Banker Win

The insurance taker 60 selects the WINNING button on the computingdevice 36 and the aggregated amount needed to debit from the customers Aand B is shown on the screen as $3,000. Of the aggregated amount of$3,000, $2,000 is debited into customer A's portable memory storagedevice 38 by tapping on the computing device 36, e.g., a PDA, with theacknowledgement form insurance taker 60 by tapping his or her RFID tagon the same computing device 36. The rest $1,000 is debited fromcustomer B's portable memory storage device 38 in the same procedure asjust mentioned to end the BIP game for this particular instant.

In an alternative embodiment, the slow paced BIP is played by highrollers. In this instance, the insurance taker 60 will have sufficienttime to input the individual customer's BIP bets into the computingdevice 36, e.g., a PDA, and respective portable memory storage devices38 before the baccarat game results are known.

In one embodiment, assuming that customer A is playing alone at thegaming table with the insurance taker 60. Customer A places his or herbet on the Player Box. With the betting chips placed on the Player Boxon the baccarat table, the gaming facility dealer will than draw cardsout with the cards faced down from the gaming shoe in accordance to thebaccarat rules as follows:

-   -   1^(st) card to Player Box, followed by    -   2^(nd) card to Banker Box, followed by    -   3^(rd) card to Player Box followed by    -   4^(th) card to Banker Box

When this is completed, both Player Box cards are handed to customer Aand Banker Box cards are retained by the gaming facility dealer. This isbecause customer A had placed his bet into the Player's Box. All thefour cards are still facing down and not exposed.

Customer A may squeeze the cards. The sum digit for the Player Box cardsis 6 points (4+2) and the insurance taker 60 selected the button PLAYERshown on the screen of the computing device 36, e.g., a PDA, key in thepoint of individual cards that had been exposed by the customer A. Withthe set of predetermined odds loaded in the computing device 36, thecomputing device 36 prompts that an insurance offer is available with anodd of 1 pays 3. When the customer A decides to take the offer,insurance taker 60 takes the following actions:

-   -   (a) key-in the amount that customer has purchased for the BIP,        which is $2,000;    -   (b) acknowledges on the computing device 36 by tapping the        portable memory storage devices 38 of both the customer A and        insurance taker 60 on the card reader of the computing device        36.

The customer A then instructs the dealer to expose both Banker cards. Ifthe aggregated sum of the Banker cards is 7, 8 or 9 points, the Bankershand wins. It will be a tie game if the Banker aggregated sum is 6points. According to baccarat rules, the Banker then needs to draw a3^(rd) card if the aggregated sum is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. When theBanker's 3^(rd) card is exposed, Banker wins if the aggregated sum ofthe three cards are 7, 8, 9, ties with the Player if the sum is 6, losesif the sum is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

For illustration purpose, assuming that the Banker has an aggregated sumof 2 points with 3 cards exposed (initial 2 cards with 1 and 3 points,and the 3^(rd) card exposed is 8 points, where the aggregated sum forthe Banker hand is 2 points) and the Player hand wins, the insurancetaker 60 takes the following actions:

-   -   (a) selects the BANKER button for value of cards entry;    -   (b) key-in cards value 1, 3 and 8 (with the in-built program,        the computing device 36, e.g., a PDA, recognizes that the        insurance taker 60 wins the bet);    -   (c) on its screen, the computing device 36 prompts the insurance        taker 60 to debit the amount of $2,000 from the customer A's        portable memory storage device 38.

This transaction is concluded by tapping the portable memory storagedevice 38 for both the customer A and insurance taker 60 to end the BIPgame for this particular instant.

An embodiment for DIP subsystem for BIP includes the computing device 36and the portable memory storage device 38. The computing device 36 isloaded with application packets for insurance odds calculation; and apre-determined baccarat insurance odds table for manual input of cardsdrawn. The computing device 36 is designed for both the fast paced BIPand slow paced BIP. The application packets are loaded into thecomputing device 36 to calculate the insurance odds, the offer of BIPvalue waged and the potential pay-out value.

The cards being drawn at the gaming table are inputted into thecomputing device 36 by using the following methods and systems:

-   -   voice recognition    -   card image converter    -   video streaming/display capability    -   manual input

Depending on the outcome of the final results of a particular hand, thecustomer 48 that have made the decision to exercise the risk managementoptions either wins or loses at the gaming table while the odds optionselected either loses or wins respectively. Such continuous purchasingof odd options by the customer 48 allows the insurance taker 60 to trackthe customer's preferences and results at the gaming table and thecumulative results of the options selected. The total value of optionstaken including the cumulative win or losses of such exercise aretracked. The customer 48 are rewarded and provided with incentives formonetary and/or non-monetary value for redemption during or after thegaming trip.

As each customer 48 is issued with a portable memory storage device 38,all transactions performed by the customers 48 can be “touched” onto thecomputing device 36, to be encoded and retained within the portablememory storage device 38 until such time, when the customers 48 wish tocheck, verify, settle their dues/winnings and/or their non-monetaryearnings, e.g., loyalty points.

The portable memory storage device 38 acts as customers' ledger thatrecords and retains all the transactions made. The portable memorystorage device 38 allows the customers 48 to encode their preferredPersonalized Identification Number (PIN) for security reasons.

For every odd option betted, the customers 48 are required to “touch”his/her portable memory storage device 38 on the computing device 36,e.g., a PDA. These transactions are also required to be double confirmedby the insurance taker 60. The double confirmation is carried out by“touching” the insurance taker's portable memory storage device 38.“Touch” or “touching” does not necessarily require physical contact.Accordingly, the portable memory storage device 38 and the computingdevice 36 may be configured to interact at a range of proximate distancewithout the requirement of an actual physical contact. This businessmethod provides an unparalleled secured business method of servicefulfillment between odd options exercised by the customers 48 with theinsurance taker 60 to the individual established player ledger for thecustomers 48 to exercise their rights to manage their perceived risk atthe gaming table.

The information encoded and contained in the portable memory storagedevice 38 will enable the customers 48 the ease of accessing these dataon a real time basis which will thus eliminate any doubts/ambiguitiesregarding the odd options exercised. It forms the basic foundation inproviding information to customers 48 and/or appropriate relevantauthorities a reliable, trustworthy and transparent business method ofrecording and confirmation. The transactions contained within theportable memory storage device 38 to the individuals within the group orgroups can be segregated, grouped, sorted accordingly.

The syndicated scheme of arrangement agreed upon will track, evaluateand trace these individuals (whom may belong to a group or groups thatbelong to the collaborators) transactions and business method willascertain the end result of this scheme of arrangement.

The insurance play offered by the junket operator 42 can also be bettedin the following scenarios by using the portable memory storage device38. The card can be pre-sold with a pre-loaded value and the drawdownoccurs whenever a bet is made by the cardholder. The card can also betopped-up whenever the stored value drops. To purchase additionaltop-up, the customers 48 can adopt the following:

-   -   drawdown on the existing credit facilities;    -   request for credit extension;    -   using cash, personal check or credit card;    -   cash chips or non-negotiable chips.

The portable memory storage device 38 can be initially issued tocustomers 48 with zero value (on credit terms). At the end of the junkettrip, customers 48 with positive value on the card is considered to havewon in insurance play will be paid accordingly by the junket operator 42while cards with negative value are considered to have lost in insuranceplay and the customers 48 are required to settle with the junketoperator 42 within the agreed credit terms.

RLDIP Subsystem

In one embodiment, the JLS may include a RLDIP subsystem 17. The RLDIPsubsystem 17 is adapted to insurance play gaming data such as dollar betby the customer, losing dollar bet, winning dollar bet, cumulativeamount lost by the customer minus bettor payout, cumulative bettorpayout plus bettor loss, every wining on payout dollar, for both theagents and customers of the junket operator.

Depending on the final results of a particular hand, the customer 48that have made the decision to exercise the risk management optionseither wins or loses at the gaming table while the odds option selectedeither loses or wins respectively. Such continuous purchasing of oddoptions by the customer 48 allows the insurance taker 60 to track thecustomer's preferences and results at the gaming table and thecumulative results of the options selected. The total value of optionstaken including the cumulative win or losses of such exercise aretracked. The customer 48 is rewarded and provided with monetary and/ornon-monetary incentives.

The RLDIP for BIP business method includes the following elements:

-   -   BIP-RR (rebate on revenue)—for every dollar bet by the customer        48 regardless of the results of the bets;    -   BIP-RLH (rebate on bettor losing hand)—for every losing dollar        bet by the customer;    -   BIP-RWH (rebate on bettor winning hand)—for every winning dollar        bet by the customer;    -   BIP-RNL (rebate on net loss by bettor)—for cumulative amount        lost by the customer minus bettor payout; and    -   BIP-Rolling (rebate on rolling)—for cumulative bettor payout        plus bettor loss.    -   BIP-RPO (rebate on bettor payout)—for every wining on payout        dollar by the customer

The insurance taker 60 is a very crucial element that will contribute tothe success or failure of the BIP trade.

As shown in Tables F and G, in one embodiment, the RLDIP subsystem helpsprovide rewards and enhance the loyalty of customers/BIP bettors.

TABLE F Revenue Odd Bettor Payout Bettor Loss S/No 1000 1 pay 3 3000 0 13000 1 pay 2 0 3000 2 2000 1 pay 7 0 2000 3

The primary factors or values extracted from these transactions that areuseful to generate rewards and contribute to the RLDIP subsystem 17 areidentified. These are:

revenue on win- $1,000- refers to Serial No. 1 (revenues); revenue onloss- $5,000- refers to Serial Nos. 2 & 3 (revenues); net revenue-$6,000- refers to Serial Nos. 1, 2 & 3 (revenues); bettor payout-$3,000- refers to Serial No. 1 (bettor payout); bettor loss- $5,000-refers to Serial Nos. 2 & 3 (bettor loss)

By using a primary factor or a combination of primary factors (basketfactors), different set of RLDIP programs can be generated or archived.Some examples are as followed:

BIP-RR rebate based on bettor net revenue-$6,000 (1 + 3 + 2) k; BIP-RLHrebate based on bettor losing hand-$5,000 (3 + 2) k; BIP-RWH rebatebased on revenue win-$1,000; BIP-RNL rebate based on bettor loss minusbettor payout (loss must be greater than payout)-$2,000 {(3 + 2) − 3}k;and BIP-Rolling rebate based on bettor payout plus bettor loss-$8,000{3 + (3 + 2)}k. BIP-RPO rebate based on bettor payout-$3,000

Protecting the JLS 1 0 by using any of the primary factor or anycombination of basket factors used to input into the RLDIP is important.Table G is created based on the results as shown on Table F. Thepercentages are not the actual range that is to be protected, but usedfor illustration purposes only.

TABLE G BIP-RR BIP-RLH BIP-RWH BIP-RNL BIP-Rolling BIP-RPO Winning edge(%) 33.33 40.00 200.00 100.00 25.00 66.66 Rewards (%) 15.00 18.00 90.0045.00 11.25 30.00 Loyalty (%) 1.66 2.00 10.00 5.00 1.25 3.33 Retainedmargin (%) 16.66 20.00 100.00 50.00 12.50 33.33Examples below uses the data from both Tables F and G.

Example 1 Rebate Based on Net Revenue, BIP-RR

A customer participated in the BIP games, and with net revenue of$6,000. It does not matter if he wins or loses on the BIP games, butwill be given:

rewards: $900 (6000 × 15%) loyalty: $100 (6000 × 1.66%)

Example 2 Rebate Based on Losing Hand, BIP-RLH

If the customer's losing hand is $5,000, the customer is awarded:

rewards: $900 (5000 × 18%) loyalty: $100 (5000 × 2%)

Example 3 Rebated Base on Wining Hand, BIP-RWH

If the customer has a wining hand (the revenue that is involved when thebettor wins on BIP and not the wining payout) is $1,000, the customer isawarded:

rewards: $900 (1000 * 90%) loyalty: $100 (1000 * 10%)

Example 4 Rebate on Net Loss, BIP-RNL

If the customer loses $2,000 (redemption is valid only when the customerloses), the customer is awarded:

rewards: $900 (2000 * 45%) loyalty: $100 (2000 * 5%)

Example 5 Rebate on Rolling, BIP-Rolling

If the customer's BIP-Rolling is $8,000, the customer is awarded:

rewards: $900 (8000 * 11.25%) loyalty: $100 (8000 * 1.25%)

Example 6 Rebate on Payout, BIP-RPO

If the customer's BIP-RPO is $3,000, the customer is awarded:

rewards: $900 (3000 * 30%) loyalty: $100 (3000 * 3.33%)

From the above six examples, the rewards and loyalty amount ended upwith the same value, which should not be the case. This happened becausea backward calculation method is used and assuming that reward, loyaltyand BIP wining is always at $900, $100 and $2,000 respectively. Takingthe $2,000 wining amount and translating it to be 100%, assign 50%, 45%and 5% to the retained wining, rewards and loyalty respectively. This ishow the percentage figures in Table G are derived.

As shown in Tables H, I, J and K, in another example, the RLDIPsubsystem provides other examples for providing rewards to customers48/BIP bettors and enhancing the loyalty of customers 48/BIP bettors.

TABLE H Revenue Odd Bettor Payout Bettor Loss S/No 1000 1 pay 3 3000 0 13000 1 pay 2 0 3000 2 2000 1 pay 7 0 2000 3 1000 1 pay 3 0 1000 4 3000 1pay 2 0 3000 5 1000 1 pay 9 9000 0 6 1000 1 pay 4 4000 0 7 3000 1 pay 20 3000 8 1000 1 pay 7 0 1000 9

TABLE I (consolidated results for Table H): Net Revenue Revenue BettorBIP- BIP- Revenue loss win W/L rolling RPO 16000 13000 3000 3000 2900016000

TABLE J (extracted for Table F): BIP- BIP- BIP- BIP- BIP- BIP- RR RLHRWH RNL Rolling RPO Rewards (%) 15.00 18.00 90.00 45.00 11.25 30.00Loyalty (%) 1.66 2.00 10.00 5.00 1.25 3.33

TABLE K (amount rebated in dollar base on Table H & I): BIP- BIP- BIP-BIP- BIP- BIP- RR RLH RWH RNL Rolling RPO Rewards 2400.0 2340.0 2700.0 03262.5 4800.0 Loyalty 265.6 260.0 300.0 0 362.5 528.0

The amount of rebate shown in Table K varies by using different factoror basket of factors. This will enable customers 48 or bettors to chooseone, which fits his needs. Generally, these can be explained by:

BIP-RR: constant rebate based on amount purchased; BIP-RLH: when acustomer loses to the insurance taker 60 on the particular gaming hand,he or she wins from the gaming table. A customer confident of winningfrom the gaming facility for that junket trip may choose this program;BIP-RWH: a customer not confident of wining from the gaming facility forthe junket trip may choose this program; BIP-RNL: conservative customermay choose this to hedge game winning against BIP losing; BIP-Rolling: acustomer who spends long hours playing and involved in many BIPtransactions may select this since a significant BIP-rolling amount iscreated. BIP-RPO: a pessimistic customer 48 not confident in wining fromthe gaming facility but hopes to win from BIP may choose this program.

The percentage range indicated in Table G is for illustration purposesonly. Most importantly, it is to realize how it can be associated toTable F.

The JLS 10 allows the customers 48 to manage their perceived risk byoffering certain pre-determined odds option. If the customers 48 soexercises the option offered by the insurance taker 60, then thecustomers 48 may request that the dealer exposes the cards for theBanker. The sum digit of the customers' cards is compared to the sumdigits of the Banker's cards to determine the results of the bet andrisk option taken up. If the sum digit of the customers' cards is lowerthan the sum digit of the Banker's cards or vice versa, the rule of thegame dictates that either the customer 48 and/or house are required todraw additional cards each. In this scenario, the cards will be drawnaccording to the tableau.

The odds option offered to the customers 48 is generated from thecomputing device 36, e.g., a PDA, and the customers 48 can then take upthis offer to manage the perceived risk.

The RLDIP subsystem 20 will continuously track the odds option betted bycustomers 48 and outcome of each and every hand at the baccarat tablegame. The customers 48 can then be rewarded accordingly through loyaltypoints, BIP-RR, BIP-RLH, BIP-RWL, BIP-Rolling and BIP-RPO. Without thisBusiness Method, rewards and business loyalty cannot be achieved.

JCM Subsystem

As illustrated in FIG. 8, following functionalities are provided by theJCM subsystem 22: credit establishment (unsecured/secured line) 136,credit line extension evaluation 138, credit review 140, and creditrating 142. The operation of JCM 22 is based on information gatheredfrom TRET 14, JAR 24, JCRM 18 and DIP 20. JCM subsystem 22 is adapted toassess and evaluate each and every individual customer 48, appointedagent or collaborator 46. This assessment includes credit assessmentthat is tied to the ability for creating more business volume andsettling any debts that may become due within an agreed period of time.The gaming habits and payment capacity of each individual customer 48,appointed agent or collaborator are evaluated for establishingappropriate ratings and rewards. Credit facilities are normallyestablished for direct customers 48, appointed agents or collaborators46. They are established with or without any form of collateral.

The JCM evolves around the following unique gaming related key featuresto improve the credit standards of junket operators:

-   -   establishment of credit facilities based on if any collateral is        provided, quantitative and qualitative analysis of real dynamic        data of customers' gaming behavior and repayment pattern;    -   establishment of a credit extension evaluation system based        quantitative and qualitative analysis of real dynamic data of        customers' behavior and repayment pattern;    -   establishment of a periodic credit review management system that        will impact the credit facilities and credit extension limits;    -   establishment of a credit rating system for junket customers,        appointed agents or collaborators.

The establishment of credit facilities by the JLS 10 is categorized intounsecured credit facilities and secured credit facilities described morein detail below.

Unsecured Credit Facilities:

Providing unsecured credit facilities is largely dependent on simplecredit evaluation of the quality of the customers 48. Critical personalinformation is required in order to determine the quality of thecustomers 48:

-   -   background Information;    -   profession;    -   assets Owned, such as house, motor vehicle, etc.    -   gaming history, if any;    -   quality of recommendations by existing customers;    -   quality of referrals by appointed agents or collaborators, if        relevant;    -   any other information such as credit card credit limit, etc.

The JLS 10 dictates that the unsecured credit facility accorded to firsttime customers is usually capped between $5,000 to $50,000 as this wouldenable the customers to have sufficient credit for a typical gaming tripof between 1 to 5 days duration.

The frequency of providing unsecured credit facilities to individuals isrelatively much higher as compared to secured credit facilities.However, the business generated (rolling/turnover) from this iscomparatively lower. The risk involved in uncollectable debts is lowerand is generally spread.

Secured Credit Facilities

Providing secured credit facilities may sound less risky. However, theJLS 10 recognizes the fact that customers 48 expect higher creditfacilities for the amount of security that is provided by them. The JLS10 only accepts cash as a form of collateral in order to provide highercredit facilities above the security amount provided.

The rule-of thumb for the junket operators 42 is to provide this type ofcredit facilities up to a maximum of $1 for every $1 of securityprovided. For example, if a customer 48 provides US$100,000 security inthe form of banker's check, the junket operator 42 may provide a maximumtotal of US$200,000 ($100,000 from the security plus $100,000 fromcredit facilities) non-negotiable chips (dead chips) to the customer 48for gambling.

However, the JLS 10 defines that the secured credit facilities isprovided from two angles:

-   -   first time customers    -   Repeat customers        This rule-of-thumb applies only to the first time customers that        are direct customers, i.e., non-referred customers. The first        time referred customers are accorded with 50% up front credit        facilities against the security provided with an additional 50%        standby credit facility during the gaming trip. This standby        credit facilities provided is only allowed for drawdown by the        customers if the customer 48 lost 80 to 90% of the initial        non-negotiable chips disbursed.

This is will enable the junket operators 42 to use TRET 14 and JAR 24during the trip to access the gaming habits and playing capacity of theparticular customer 48.

The usual simple credit evaluation on the customers 48 is conducted toascertain the background information and profession.

For Repeat Customers, the JLS 10 would have adequate information on thegaming and payment attributes of the said customers 48 that will bederived from TRET 14, JAR 24 and JCM to ascertain the amount of securedcredit facilities to provide.

The JCM is configured to cap at a maximum of 2 times the amount ofsecurity provided. For example, if the repeat customer 48 provides asecurity of $1 million, the amount of secured credit facilities will becapped at $2 million. Meaning, the maximum total non-negotiable chipsthat can be provided to the customer 48 is $3 million ($1 million fromsecurity provided plus $2 million from credit facilities).

The TRET 14 and JAR 24 will provide the quantitative analysis ofcustomers' previous 12 month's, moving average of real historical dataand the JCM will translate such analysis into the amount of securedcredit facilities to accord.

The data, amongst others include:

-   -   the average bet of the customer per hand played;    -   the duration of the customer's play;    -   the type of table game limits preferred;    -   the volume of business (rolling/turnover) generated and the        win/loss at the gaming table;    -   the amount of insurance play betted and the win/loss of such        bets;    -   the repayment period taken to settle any outstanding gambling        debt;    -   the frequency of return trips (loyalty).

Credit extension is defined as the amount of additional credit amountprovided by the junket operator 42 to its customers 48 after the normalcredit facilities has been exhausted. This is another form of creditprovided which is unsecured.

The credit extension of the JLS 10 evolves around the establishment ofthe customer's 48 most recent gaming habits and payment capacity. Thecustomer's 48 past 3 month's real historical data, including the currenttrip that has been made available by TRET 14 for JAR 24, are analyzedand translated for JCM to establish the amount of credit extension toprovide for the current trip.

The real data, amongst others include:

-   -   the average bet of the customer per hand played;    -   the duration of the customer's play;    -   the type of table game limits preferred;    -   the volume of business (rolling/turnover) generated and the        win/loss at the gaming table;    -   the amount of insurance play betted and the win/loss of such        bets;    -   the repayment period taken to settle any outstanding gambling        debt;    -   the frequency of return trips (loyalty).

The credit extension amount is primarily derived from the followingfactors. Weights are placed to define the relevancy of these factors:

-   -   repayment rating—a rating system to define the customer's        repayment ability on a twelve months rolling timeframe;    -   extension Risk—to define the current affordability level of the        customer by using the last three months debtor turnover ratio        (in days);    -   rolling capacity—to define the customer's strength in generating        business for the previous twelve months rolling timeframe and        measured as a reference against the random pool of existing        customer by using the Bell Curve for quartile distribution;    -   current debt—measurement of the amount outstanding, if any,        above the normal credit facilities and for how long this debt        has been outstanding;    -   insurance play intensity—measurement of customer's playing        intensity in insurance play as not all customers are inclined to        exercise their risk management when playing games. Those that do        will invariably require a higher credit.

The credit extension exercise is highly reliant on these factors for theJLS 10 to ensure higher credit standards. These factors will provide astructured rating on the variables of each and every customer 48 toascertain their credit worthiness against the capital available to matchthe needs of the junket operator 42 to generate more business.

As insurance play is a unique and intrinsic part of the JLS 10, thefactor of insurance play is used as a multiplier of the amount of creditextension value to provide. It distinguishes whether the customer 48 isan insurance play player or not. It identifies and rewards insuranceplay players with higher value of credit extension. It measures theinsurance play playing intensity of the customer 48. It is calculated asfollows:

insurance play factor=total insurance play bets/total amount rolled

The amount of credit extension is capped at a maximum of 100% of thecredit facilities. For example, if the customer 48 had initial creditfacilities of $1 million for the current trip, the maximum amount ofcredit extension will be capped at $1 million.

The JLS 10 requires a credit review to be conducted. The JLS 10 adopts acredit term of 7 to 14 days repayment period from the date of closing ofaccount. Credit review consists of conducting a process of reviewing thecredit facilities of the customers 48, appointed agents or collaborators46 that will be triggered by any of the following events that have takenplace whichever occurs first:

-   -   when a single default in repayment of outstanding debt occurs;    -   when a request is received to defer the cashing or lodgment of        any personal check (that was presented to settle outstanding        account) to the junket's bank account for clearance for more        than once;    -   when any personal check (that was presented to settle        outstanding account) is rejected/returned by the junket's bank        account for whatever reason for more than twice;    -   when a default in repayment of outstanding debt to any gaming        facility or any other junket operator occurs and is known to the        junket operator 42;    -   when a default in repayment of outstanding debt occurs and        placed on installment plan;    -   when a default in the agreed installment plan to settle the        outstanding debt occurs for more than twice;    -   a maximum of 3 months period from the time of the account is        closed for the last gambling trip;    -   the credit review will evaluate the timeliness of repayments and        adjustments will be made henceforth to the Credit Rating of the        customer 48, appointed agent and collaborator. This will        favorably or unfavorably impact the amount of their respective        existing credit facilities.

The junket credit rating system established for the junket operator 42includes the rating of the customer's credit worthiness based on theability to generate business that is tied to the gaming capacity andpayment capability.

The business generated includes the Rolling at the gaming facility andthe insurance play betted with the junket operator 42.

This rating system is unique as it rates the customers 48, appointedagents or collaborators 46 based on an evaluation system of realhistorical data. The data that have been collated by the various facetsof the JLS 10 are analyzed and interpretations made to establish thegrade of the customer 48.

For example, a customer's cumulative rolling is $100 million per annumand the cumulative insurance play betted is $2 million. These wereachieved from a total credit utilization of $5 million. Therefore, thetotal business generated is $102 million per annum with a factor of 6.8($102 million divided $5 million).

The customer 48 has an established credit term of 14 days and averagedebtor turnover for this customer 48 is 12 days, this customer 48 willbe rated as AA7, as shown in Table L, where x is equal to theestablished credit term.

TABLE L Debtor Turnover (Days) x < −14 x < −7 x x + 7 x + 14 x + 21 x >21 Cumm. Rolling * 10 AAA10 AA10 A10 BA10 BB10 C10 CC10 ($) Over Cumm.Credit 9 AAA9 AA9 A9 BA9 BB9 C9 CC9 Amount Utilized 8 AAA8 AA8 A8 BA8BB8 C8 CC8 ($) Factor 7 AAA7 AA7 A7 BA7 BB7 C7 CC7 6 AAA6 AA6 A6 BA6 BB6C6 CC6 5 AAA5 AA5 A5 BA5 BB5 C5 CC5 4 AAA4 AA4 A4 BA4 BB4 C4 CC4 3 AAA3AA3 A3 BA3 BB3 C3 CC3 2 AAA2 AA2 A2 BA2 BB2 C2 CC2 1 AAA1 AA1 A1 BA1 BB1C1 CC1

This will denote that the customer 48 is one grade better than the normfor payment capacity while generating a factor of 7 business volume forthe junket operator 42.

As another example with the same amount of cumulative rolling and creditutilization but with a different average debtor turnover of 18 days,then the customer 48 is rated BB7, where the customer 48 has a grade ofbelow average than the norm for payment capacity while generating afactor of 7 business volume for the junket operator 42.

JAR Subsystem

With reference to FIG. 9, based on JMTM 12/TRET 14, JAR 24 achieves thefollowing functionalities: maintenance entitlements for customers,appointed agents and collaborators 144; employee reward scheme 146;insurance taker reward scheme 148; and key performance indicators (KPI)for customers, agents and collaborators 150. JAR subsystem 24 is adaptedto evaluate the data collected by the JLS to compute the monetaryrewards and non-monetary incentives. The JAR subsystem 24 is operatedvia a factor-based application that is processed before and after eachand every gaming trip.

The JAR subsystem 24 performs the following functions:

-   -   maintains and computes all entitlements (monetary and        non-monetary) to customers 48, appointed agents or        collaborators;    -   maintains and computes monthly entitlements for the junket        operator 42 to reconcile with gaming facility operators;    -   maintains and computes rewards and incentive schemes for        employees.

The JAR subsystem 24 encompasses the maintenance of the agreed terms ofcommission, loss rebates, credit facilities, insurance play JV Scheme,loyalty points, etc. to be attached to respective customer 48, appointedagents or collaborators 46.

All transactions by the customers 48 will be tracked, evaluated andtraced to the correct accounts. The JAR 24 will compute all entitlementsaccurately and assign them to the correct accounts to dispel anyambiguities, confusion and arguments. It will also provide the necessaryaudit trails for checking and confirmation. Competent authorities willalso be able to gain access for compliance auditing, if needed.

A unique feature of JAR 24 is the ability to use the JMTM 12 toassociate customer preferences in utilizing a preferred junketrepresentative 52 for their gaming trips. As gamblers have a uniquebehavior that is high on emotions, meeting customer's needs andpreferences is an important factor in creating customer satisfaction andrepeat business. The JMTM 12 within TRET 14 will enable employees to berewarded through incentives schemes. The JAR 24 will maintain themechanics of employee incentive schemes and accord necessary rewards toemployees.

JAR 24 will enable the junket operator 42 to establish a unique rewardsscheme for their Insurance Takers by providing incentives purely relatedto insurance play. This rewards scheme is based on the amount ofinsurance play that customers 48 purchased whereby C % is provided tothe insurance taker based on the total amount of insurance play that theInsurance Taker accepts through the computing device 36, e.g., a PDA.

In addition to this, it is considered a norm for customers 48, appointedagents or collaborators 46 to tip all junket representatives. JAR 24will be able to track all tips accepted and calculations are made basedon pre-approved distribution method for disbursement to all eligiblejunket representatives.

The JAR 24 will be able to provide meaningful statistics and audittrails for the junket operator 42 to establish and measure theirbusiness key performance indicators (KPI). Some of these relate to thedata collected are:

-   -   customers        -   total rolling amount;        -   average rolling amount per transaction;        -   number of rolling transactions concluded;        -   total cash out amount;        -   average cash out amount per transaction;        -   total returned value amount;        -   average returned value amount per transaction, etc.    -   appointed agents or collaborators        -   number of players referred;        -   rolling amount achieved against targets;        -   credit utilization;        -   average rolling amount over credit utilization; etc.    -   junket representatives        -   total rolling performed;        -   average rolling per customer 48;        -   number of hours worked;        -   number of transactions performed; etc.

The JAR 24 will the track hours worked by these individuals, computerewards, incentives and/or profit-sharing for each and every level ofjunket representatives, controllers and the Insurance Takers, whereapplicable. They are rewarded by each gaming trip and/or cumulativetrips or at any pre-determined duration established.

The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention istherefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. A method for increasing loyalty of customers, comprising: providing acomputing device that includes: a processor, a display, a computerreadable medium, and a coding configured to calculate loyalty points ofthe customer; determining a performance value of the customer, which isassociated with a customer play history, including: calculating anamount rolled by the customer playing a game during a gaming trip,wherein the amount rolled is determined by an amount of cash chipsexchanged for an amount of non-negotiable chips; calculating the loyaltypoints of the customer based on the performance value of the customer;storing the loyalty points of the customer on the computer readablemedium; and displaying the loyalty points of the customer on thedisplay.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:providing the customer with a portable memory storage device; whereinthe computing device further includes: a coding configured to determinea credit line for the customer; calculating a customer's risk of loss ingame session with program instructions that calculate the customer'srisk of loss, wherein the computing device executes the programinstructions, wherein the program instructions include: a predeterminedpayout odds associated with a game play, and a method that includes:determining a current odds associated with the game session based on thepredetermined payout odds, determining a bet made by the customer in thegame session, determining a performance value of the customer that isassociated with a customer play history, and calculating the customer'srisk of loss from the predetermined payout odds, the bet, and theperformance value, displaying an indicator associated with thecustomer's risk of loss on the display of the computing device; andstoring a record of the insurance on the portable memory storage devicethat is configured to be in communication with the computing device. 3.The method according to claim 2, further comprising: storing a record ofloyalty points on the portable memory storage device, wherein theloyalty points are incremented based on an amount of the insurance. 4.The method according to claim 2, further comprising: storing a record ofreward points on the portable memory storage device, wherein the rewardpoints are incremented based on an amount of the insurance.
 5. Themethod according to claim 2, wherein the coding configured to determinethe credit line for the customer includes instructions to calculate inreal time a credit rating of the customer.
 6. The method according toclaim 5, wherein the instructions to calculate in real time a creditrating of the customer.
 7. The method according to claim 6, furthercomprising: calculating in real time the credit rating based on ahistorical data; wherein the historical data includes a debt data, andrepayment of debt data; determining the credit line for the customer;and displaying the credit line for the customer on the display.
 8. Themethod according to claim 2, wherein the portable memory storage deviceis an RFID card.
 9. The method according to claim 2, wherein the game isbaccarat; and the game play is baccarat game play.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 2, further comprising: determining a result value ofthe customer, that includes: calculating a settlement time ofoutstanding debt.
 11. The method according to claim 2, furthercomprising: determining a fold value of the customer, that includes:calculating a rolling of the customer during a period of time divided bya credit line extended by a junket operator.
 12. The method according toclaim 10, further comprising: determining a frequency value of thecustomer, that includes: calculating an amount of web portal servicesused by the customer.
 13. A system for increasing a loyalty of acustomer, comprising: a computing device that includes: a processor, acomputer readable medium, and a coding configured to calculate loyaltypoints of the customer, and calculate a risk of loss, wherein the codingincludes: a predetermined payout odds associated with a game play,instructions that determine a current odds associated with a gamesession based on the predetermined payout odds, instructions thatdetermine a bet made by the customer in the game session, instructionsthat determine a performance value of the customer that is associatedwith a customer play history, and instructions that calculate the riskof loss from the predetermined payout odds, the bet, and the performancevalue; a display configured to display an indicator associated with therisk of loss, and the loyalty points of the customer, wherein thecomputing device is configured to transmit a record of an insurance to aportable memory storage device that is configured to be in communicationwith the computing device.
 14. The system according to claim 13, whereinthe portable memory storage device stores the loyalty points of thecustomer, and a record of insurance.
 15. The system according to claim13, wherein the portable memory storage device is an RFID card.
 16. Thesystem according to claim 13, wherein the computing device includes anautomatic card image converter.
 17. The system according to claim 13,wherein the computing device includes a sound input portion and a codingconfigured to recognize speech.
 18. The system according to claim 13,wherein the computing device includes a video camera.